Rabies (Animal) in Greece (Update)

23 Jan 2014

Cases of animal rabies continue to be reported in the northern regions of Greece, following the first report of rabies in a fox in October 2012. At that time it had been 25 years since rabies was last reported in terrestrial animals in Greece. This week rabies has been confirmed in a fox and a domestic dog in Kentriki, Macedonia.

A total of 29 cases of animal rabies were reported in 2013, and the Greek authorities now consider the following regions to be at higher risk of rabies: Epirus, Western and Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and Thessaly.

Advice for Travellers

These regions of Greece are not popular tourist destinations and rabies pre-exposure vaccine would not normally be considered for most travellers as this country is considered low risk for rabies by WHO.

Travellers should be aware that northern Greece borders two countries with a high risk of rabies. Any animal bite should be taken seriously and reported as soon as possible for assessment. Travellers should avoid animal contact and not approach wild animals that appear to be behaving strangely.