Rabies in a pet dog in France ( IIe de Re, Charente -Maritime)

21 Feb 2020

The French Government reports a case of rabies(in French) in a young beige mongrel dog in Saint-Martin-en-Ré on the IIe de Ré, an island off the west coast of france, in the Department of Charente-Maritime. The animal had recently been brought to France from Spain and was found to have rabies on 13 February 2020.

Anyone who was bitten, scratched or licked by a dog on the IIe de Ré between  17 January 2020 and 3 February 2020 should seek immediate medical attention.

Advice for Travellers

Any animal contact in an areas where rabies is present poses a potential risk of infection through bites or scratches.

• Rabies is the most dangerous of all infectious diseases. There is no recognised treatment once symptoms begin and with the exception of a tiny number of cases, those who develop symptoms of rabies will die.

• An effective rabies vaccination is available.

• All travellers to areas where there is rabies should be aware of the risk of rabies and advised to avoid contact with animals (both wild and domestic), particularly dogs and cats.

• Children are more vulnerable to rabies than adults as they are less likely to comprehend the risk of animal contact, less able to defend themselves from an animal attack and may not report a potential exposure.

• All travellers to areas where there is rabies should be aware of immediate wound care and advised to seek medical attention immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal.

For further information including vaccination and post-exposure advice, see Rabies.