Latest news with #DrKatherineRussell
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The countries where you're most at risk from rabies
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has offered vaccinations to the 'close contacts' of a British tourist, who has died from rabies after being scratched by a puppy while on holiday in Morocco. While the agency has said there is no risk to the wider public, it has warned that holidaymakers should exercise caution around animals in countries where the disease is present. Egypt, Turkey and Albania are among the destinations that the Government has ascribed as 'high risk'. It advises that all visitors to rabies-affected countries 'should avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible, and seek advice about the need for rabies vaccine prior to travel'. Costa Rica, Bali, Mexico and South Africa are also rated 'high risk'. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UKHSA, said: 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.' 'Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission,' she added. What is rabies? Rabies is 'a rare but very serious infection of the brain and nerves', according to the NHS, that 'is almost always fatal once symptoms appear'. How is rabies transmitted? The disease is transferred from animals to humans through bites, licks and scratches, usually via saliva. Dogs are the primary cause of most rabies infections in people, but all animals can catch rabies and pass it on, including cats, monkeys and bats. Symptoms of rabies usually take three to 12 weeks to appear, but they can appear after a few days or not for several months or even years. Initial symptoms include feeling anxious or energetic, and numbness where contact with the animal took place. Later, patients may experience hallucinations, respiratory failure and paralysis. More than 59,000 people die from the disease every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Due to under-reporting, however, it notes that 'this number is likely a gross underestimate'. It is thought that more than 15 million people a year receive a post-bite vaccination that prevents hundreds of thousands of deaths. Where is rabies found? Rabies is most common in Asia and Africa but there are a number of European nations said to be 'high risk', such as Poland and Lithuania. The WHO says that the disease is present on all continents except Antarctica, but that 95 per cent of human deaths take place in Asia or Africa. The UK has been rabies-free since the beginning of the 20th century, though a rabies-like virus still resides in some wild bats. According to the Government, the last recorded case of rabies in the UK was in 2018, when a a 58-year-old man was bitten by a cat while visiting family in Mehdya, Morocco. The UKHSA ascribes three different levels of risk to the world's territories – no risk, low risk and high risk. Some eastern European countries such as Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria are given a 'low risk' rating but the advice adds that 'foxes are high risk'. The same is true of the US and Canada, where the warning is 'low risk but foxes, skunks and racoons are high risk'. The UK's entry reads: 'No risk in animals. Low risk in bats.' What should I do if travelling to an area with rabies? Dr Richard Dawood, Telegraph Travel's health expert, says it is not always possible to eliminate the chance of an unwanted encounter with a street dog. 'Having been attacked by a dog on my own travels, I have been a lifelong fan of pre-travel rabies vaccination: it is safe, effective, greatly simplifies treatment following a bite, and can be done cheaply,' he said. 'Vaccination requires three injections, ideally with a seven-day gap between the first two, and 14 to 21 days between the next. Protection is usually long-lasting. Most people have a full dose of vaccine, injected deep into a muscle. However, a reduced dose is also highly effective, given intradermally into the top layer of the skin, enabling more than one person to be vaccinated from a single vial. 'The Department of Health's official Green Book says that suitably qualified and experienced health care professionals may use this method, but does not recommend it, mainly because it requires skill to administer it correctly. However, it is approved by the World Health Organisation, used in other countries, supported by key British experts and should be used more widely.' What should I do if bitten or exposed? Scrub and rinse the wound thoroughly, and disinfect with alcohol or strong antiseptic. Get prompt local advice. Back this up with a call to your travel insurance company, your GP or a specialist travel clinic. Without previous vaccination, you need a rapid vaccine course, plus an injection of rabies immune globulin (RIG) – a product containing antibodies that neutralises rabies virus and which is often unavailable in countries with the highest risk – to give protection until the vaccine takes effect. RIG is scarce and very expensive, and reliable treatment can be hard to find. If you have previously been vaccinated against rabies, simple booster doses after a bite give full protection. How much is a rabies vaccine? The price of the rabies vaccine varies dependent on the vendor and the type of vaccination. The NHS charges £82 for a rabies vaccine. The London Travel Clinic charges £72 per dose of the intradermal rabies vaccine, which is given under the skin, while the intramuscular vaccine is £79 per dose. In each case, three doses are required. Superdrug's Travel Clinic charges £74 or £110 per dose, or £222 or £330 per course (which comprises three doses). Without prior vaccination, treatment is more complicated and urgent: an injection of RIG into the area of the bite. This treatment is followed by an accelerated course of vaccine, which can throw your travel itinerary into chaos revolving around medical appointments. The price (and availability) of this varies wildly between countries. For more information about travel vaccinations, read our guide here.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Person dies in UK after becoming infected with rabies while on holiday
A person has died in Yorkshire from rabies after becoming infected while on holiday in Morocco, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. The person, which the Barnsley Chronicle reports is a woman from the area who was diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital, had contact with a stray dog during their visit to the North African country. The UKHSA said there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary. Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus but, in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UKHSA, said: 'I would like to extend my condolences to this individual's family at this time. 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. 'There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. 'Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission.' According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa. Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine prior to travel. Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal, or where the animal has licked eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound, should wash the site with plenty of soap and water and seek immediate medical help. People should do the same if they have been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK. Anyone given post-exposure treatment should contact their doctor on return to the UK to ensure treatment continues and is effective. Post-exposure treatment is usually in the form of a rabies vaccine jab.
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Person in UK dies after being infected with rabies while on holiday
A person in Yorkshire has died from rabies after becoming infected while on holiday in Morocco , the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. The person, which the Barnsley Chronicle reports is a woman from the area, had contact with a stray dog during their visit to the North African country. The UKHSA said there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary. Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. READ MORE Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus but, in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UKHSA, extended condolences to the person's family. 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies,' she said. Dr Russell said human cases of rabies are 'extremely rare in the UK', while worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission. According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa. Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine before travel. Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal, or where the animal has licked eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound, should wash the site with plenty of soap and water and seek immediate medical help. People should do the same if they have been bitten or scratched by a bat. Anyone given post-exposure treatment should contact their doctor on return to the UK to ensure treatment continues and is effective. Post-exposure treatment is usually in the form of a rabies vaccine jab. —Press Association
Times
10 hours ago
- Health
- Times
Rabies death in Yorkshire after contact with stray dog in Morocco
A person in Yorkshire has died from rabies after contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there is no risk to the wider public, but health workers and close contacts are being assessed as a precaution and offered vaccination where necessary. Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly. The last Briton to die after contracting rabies was in 2018, also after a trip to Morocco. That UK resident was infected following a cat bite. The latest victim was a woman who was diagnosed at Barnsley hospital, according to the Barnsley Chronicle . Hers was the seventh case in the UK of human rabies contracted from an animal abroad since 2000. The UKHSA reminded travellers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies-affected countries. The disease remains common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UKHSA, said: 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.' Even those who have previously been vaccinated should seek local medical advice immediately, the UKHSA added. When given promptly, post-exposure treatment is extremely effective at preventing the disease. The UKHSA also encourages travellers to also consult their doctor on return, so that the course of rabies treatment can be completed. If travellers have not sought medical advice abroad, they should contact their doctor promptly upon return for assessment. Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902. • Teacher dies after being bitten by rabid bat Russell said: 'There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.'
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Alert as UK woman dies from terrifying rabies - health chiefs warn of vital yet little-known prevention tactic
Britain was today rocked by fresh rabies fears after a woman died after catching the virus while on holiday in Morocco. Officials revealed the unnamed individual contracted the illness following contact with a stray dog. But it was only after they returned to Yorkshire and The Humber that they were diagnosed with the virus. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses are now racing to get in touch with any close contacts of the woman. There have been less than 10 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK since 2000. However, the UKHSA today stressed there was 'no risk to the wider public' given there is 'no documented evidence of rabies passing between people'. The UK has been rabies-free since 1922, when the last indigenous non-fatal case was recorded, with the exception of rabies-like viruses in some wild bat species. The last bite death caused by rabies in a UK animal was in 1902, but was brought back to Britain in animals returning with soldiers from the First World War. Dog licensing, euthanasia of stray dog and quarantining were credited with killing off the virus. Western Europe is now considered low risk by the World Health Organisation, while countries in Eastern Europe are listed as 'moderate risk' and African and Middle Eastern countries are 'high risk'. Popular tourist destinations like Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey all carry a high risk of dogs transmitting rabies to people. Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at the UKHSA said: 'I would like to extend my condolences to this individual's family at this time. 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. 'There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. 'Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission.' The last recorded rabies death in the UK was in 2018, when Omar Zouhri, a 58-year-old kebab shop worker, was bitten by a cat while visiting family in Mehdya, Morocco. The same rabid cat is believed to have also bitten a young girl in the area, but she was treated locally for the nip and made a full recovery. An inquest in Oxford heard that Mr Zouhri had contracted rabies on August 31 2018, but it was not until as late as October 28 that 'the die was cast' when he started to report symptoms of 'furious rabies'. This included itching, pain and muscle twitches - which showed the virus had already entered his central nervous system, rendering any treatment ineffective and sealing his fate. Mr Zouhri, from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, died in hospital in Oxford on November 4, 2018.
