Managing stray dog populations is complex, but curbing their numbers is becoming more important from a public health perspective, with ProMED reporting that around 60 people die from rabies infections each year in Egypt and the number of dog bites has been rising in recent times. The same post has details on the rabies risk from jackals in Israel, and also reports on several child deaths from rabies last year in South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo). Meanwhile in Peru, veterinarians in Lima are warning that rabies surveillance has lagged, with the risk that the disease could be reintroduced into the capital. One concerning national statistic quoted was that 10 rabid animals were detected in Arequipa last month alone.
Advice for travellers
Rabies is present in most countries and all travellers should be aware of the importance of avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals, including bats. If bitten or scratched, urgent post-exposure treatment is required. Vaccination is generally recommended for longer stays, especially travellers planning to live in, or travel extensively through, rural areas and also for children; however the final recommendation is itinerary-specific. Read more on rabies.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.