Rabies Prevention: Essential Travel Health Advice

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is a serious viral disease. While rare in the U.S., it remains a major global health concern, causing approximately 70,000 deaths each year. The good news is that rabies can be prevented with timely vaccination and expert travel health guidance. Whether you’re visiting rural areas or interacting with animals abroad, our travel health specialists provide personalized prevention plans to keep you protected.

How Is Rabies Spread?

The rabies virus is carried and transmitted by animals, including bats, raccoons, dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes and other mammals. Humans can be infected with the virus if they are bitten by an animal with rabies.

Symptoms of Rabies

Immediately after infection, there are no symptoms other than pain and irritation at the site of the bite. But, in the weeks and months to follow, symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Fever
• Irritability
• Seizures and death (if untreated)

Rabies Vaccine for Travel Abroad

The rabies vaccine is typically only recommended for very high-risk travelers given that it is completely preventable if medical attention is received within 7 – 10 days of an animal bite. The rabies vaccine is made from dead virus and cannot cause rabies. It can prevent the disease from developing if given before or after infection. It may be recommended for high-risk international travelers who are likely to encounter animals in parts of the world where rabies is common. Pre-travel vaccination is given in three doses. This first dose should be administered at least one month before the departure date. The second dose is given one week later, and the third and final dose three weeks later.

The rabies vaccine may be recommended for very high-risk individuals traveling to the following destinations:

• Ghana
• Brazil
• India
• South Africa
• China
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Vietnam
• Peru
• Thailand

Don’t see your travel destination listed? Contact the travel medicine specialists at the UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health for more information about recommended vaccines and disease prevention.