Rabies is a rare but serious infection. It is spread by mammals, such as dogs, bats, raccoons and foxes. In Ireland, there's only a small risk of getting it from bats.
You can get rabies if:
- you're bitten, scratched or spat on by an animal infected by the rabies virus
- an infected animal licks your eyes, nose, mouth or a wound
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. But vaccination and early treatment can prevent it.
Symptoms of rabies
Symptoms of rabies usually take 3 to 12 weeks to appear. But they can appear after a few days or several months or years.
Symptoms include:
- numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched
- seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- feeling very anxious or energetic
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- being unable to move (paralysis)
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or go to an emergency department (ED) if:
- you've been bitten or scratched by a bat
- you've been bitten, scratched or spat on by any animal while you're abroad
- an animal has licked your eyes, nose, mouth or wound while you're abroad
If you're abroad, get medical help as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get back to Ireland.
Who's at risk of rabies
Rabies is found all over the world. But it's very rare in Ireland.
It is more common in parts of:
- Asia
- Africa
- Central and South America
You may be at risk of getting rabies if you are travelling abroad. But the risk is small.
Check your travel risk
Get health advice for a country you're travelling to on travelhealthpro.org.uk
You may also be at risk of getting rabies through work.
For example, if you work:
- in a lab that handles the rabies virus
- with patients who may have rabies
- in direct content with animals that can get rabies, such as an animal quarantine centre, zoo, wildlife centre or vet
- in an area where there is a higher risk of getting rabies
Treatment for rabies
Rabies can be prevented if you get treatment quickly. It's important to get help, even if you've had the rabies vaccine.
Rabies cannot be treated once symptoms appear.
If you've been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal that may have rabies
- Wash the wound straight away with a lot of soap and water, or rinse your eye or mouth with clean water if you've been licked. Do this for several minutes to reduce the risk of infection.
- Apply disinfectant to the wound, such as 70 percent alcohol or a povidone-iodine solution.
- Put a simple, loose dressing on the wound.
- Get immediate medical attention.
A doctor will check if you need treatment.
Treatment usually involves:
- a course of the rabies vaccine
- a medicine called human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG)
HRIG is a liquid that is injected into the wound. You only need this if you have:
- not had the rabies vaccine before
- a weak immune system
Important
If you had treatment while abroad, contact your GP when you get back to Ireland. They can check if you need any more treatment.
What to do if you have been bitten by or exposed to an animal in a foreign country - hpsc.ie
How to reduce your risk of rabies
If you're travelling abroad, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of getting rabies.
Do
-
get advice from a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before you travel - they may recommend you get the rabies vaccine
-
find out where you can get urgent medical help while abroad
-
wash any animal bites or scratches with soap and water
-
get medical help immediately
Don't
-
do not touch or go near wild or stray animals, even if they seem healthy - animals with rabies may not have any symptoms
-
do not touch any animals, including domestic dogs or cats, and animals in zoos or animal sanctuaries