Rabies symptoms in humans: Tourists issued urgent warning as Brit dies from rabies after contact with dog on Morocco holiday - how is it transmitted

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that an individual from the UK has sadly died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a stray dog during a visit to Morocco. The individual was diagnosed in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The UKHSA adds: “There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case as there is no documented evidence of rabies passing between people. However, as a precautionary measure, health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary.”

The agency is reminding travellers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries. Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus.

Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at UKHSA, said: “If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”

Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902.

Between 2000 and 2024 there were 6 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa. All travellers to rabies affected countries should avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible, and seek advice about the need for rabies vaccine prior to travel.

What are rabies symptoms in humans?

According to the NHS symptoms of rabies usually take 3 to 12 weeks to appear, but they can appear after a few days or not for several months or years. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. 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)

How is rabies transmitted?

Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite. It can also be transmitted through scratches or when saliva gets into open wounds, mucous membranes (like the eyes, nose, or mouth).