26 November 2008

Canine rabies in Malawi and France

Malawi

On 17 November 2008, rabies was confirmed in a puppy which may have had contact with UK travellers [1]. The puppy was at the Mabuya Camp backpacker lodge near Lilongwe. It is understood that around 75 UK travellers stayed at the lodge during this time period. Travellers who stayed at the lodge between 28 October and 14 November 2008 and who had any contact with the puppy are asked to seek medical advice.

France

On 17 November, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received notification of a case of rabies in a dog in Saint-André-le-Gaz, in the Isère department of France [2]. The dog, a German Shepard, was bought into France on 12 October 2008, after being found in Malaga, Spain. The dog was confined to the owner’s premises once in France. The dog began to show clinical symptoms on 31 October and died on 10 November 2008. The risk period for the excretion of virus is believed to be between 14 October and 10 November 2008 [3]. French authorities have identified approximately 30 people who had contact with the dog during the risk period.

France lost its rabies-free status in February 2008, following a case of rabies in a dog imported from Morocco, and subsequent transmission of the virus to two indigenous dogs [4].

As of February 2008, there is a low risk of rabies in of Auch in Gers, Lisieux city and Thury Harcourt village and their surroundings in Calvados, and Seine-et-Marne in Grandpuits.

As of November 2008, there is also a low risk in the area of in Saint-André-le-Gaz and the surroundings in Isère.

The risk of rabies elsewhere in France is considered extremely low, but cannot be ruled out.

Advice for travellers

These cases of dog rabies highlight the potential risk of rabies to travellers. The risk of rabies on a country by country basis can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.

Travellers to Malawi and the low risk areas of France (areas of Gers, Gradpuits, Clavados and Isère) should avoid contact with wild or domestic animals. Should any travellers experience an exposure to an animal bite, scratch, or lick, they should seek urgent medical assessment while abroad or from their GP on return to the UK. Following a bite, wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and a medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial. If the bite is considered a rabies risk, prompt post-exposure treatment is required, even if pre-exposure vaccine has been received.

In Malawi, rabies occurs in wild and domestic animals (including bats). Pre-exposure vaccination should be given to adults and children who are:

at increased risk of rabies due to activity, occupation or length of stay

travelling to remote areas where medical care is not readily available.

Travellers to areas of France, other than those listed above are at extremely low risk of rabies; however, travellers should still seek early medical assessment in the case of bites scratches or licks from animals. Routine vaccination against rabies for travel to France is not recommended.

All British travellers are encouraged to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) LOCATE service. The FCO will pass on your details to the local British Embassy. In the event of an emergency or international incident, the FCO will have an instant record of your details enabling them to contact you.

References

1. Health Protection Agency. Confirmed rabies case in puppy in Malawi, 21 November 2008. Accessed 24 November 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAwe

b_C/1227255702821?p=1204186170287

2. World Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate Notification Report, 17 November 2008. Accessed 24 November 2008. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahis/reports/en_imm_0000007526_2008111

9_175129.pdf

3. Health Protection Agency. Canine rabies in southeastern France, 21 November 2008. Accessed 24 November 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb

_C/1227169970039

4. National Travel Health Network and Centre. Canine rabies in France – loss of rabies free status, 28 April 2008. Accessed 24 November 2008. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/news/rabies_280408.htm