At a glance
What travellers should know
- Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms start, but is preventable with prompt treatment
- Any mammal bite or scratch abroad should be taken seriously
- Pre-travel rabies vaccination simplifies but doesn't remove the need for treatment after a bite
If you're bitten or scratched
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for several minutes, apply an antiseptic if available, and seek medical attention as soon as possible — even for what seems like a minor scratch, and even if you've had the pre-travel vaccine.
Prevention
Avoid approaching or feeding stray or wild animals, be cautious around temple monkeys in destinations where they're common, and consider pre-travel rabies vaccination for higher-risk trips.
If you feel seriously unwell
- Any bite or scratch from a mammal in a rabies-risk country — seek medical care promptly, wherever you are in the world
Common questions
Animal Bites & Scratches Abroad FAQs
Pre-travel vaccination reduces the treatment you'll need after a bite and buys valuable time, but you'll usually still need further vaccine doses. Always seek medical attention after any bite or scratch.