The number of reports to the Eurocross Emergency Center of a possible rabies infection rises every year. For example, the number of reports in 2017 was no less than 60 percent higher than the year before. This trend seems to continue this year as well. Most reports come from Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Emergency Center, with the cooperation of the Leiden University Medical Center, is starting research into the increase, the consequences and possible solutions.
Rapid action is necessary
More than 60.000 people worldwide die of rabies each year. Rabies or rabies is a serious disease that occurs worldwide. Infection with the virus mainly takes place through dog bites, but cats, bats and monkeys can also carry and transmit the virus. When the infection is not treated in a timely manner, rabies leads to death. Floriana Luppino, doctor at Eurocross: “In the event of a possible infection, you must be treated quickly with 2 different types of medication. However, one of these, an immunoglobulin, is scarce and therefore difficult to obtain. We therefore often have to transfer people who call us to another city or even another country as quickly as possible to have them administer these antibodies there. This logically causes a lot of worry, stress and a very annoying interruption or even termination of the holiday.”
Watch out for that cute puppy
If you travel in an area where rabies occurs, it is wise not to touch, pet or feed animals. Floriana: “Not even that cute puppy or that little monkey, no matter how difficult that is. Animals can suddenly feel attacked, or eat too wildly out of the hand, and then (accidentally) bite or scratch.” In about half of all reports, this so-called 'provoked' behavior is the cause of the infection.
Point to travel
We are starting an investigation with the vaccination outpatient clinic of the LUMC in order to get a complete picture of the circumstances. In particular, we investigate the causes of the possible rabies infection, the care steps taken, the types of injections received, the availability of the injections and the associated costs. Floriana: “With the results of the research, we want to provide even better information to travelers and organizations such as travel advice agencies. Consider, for example, adapted and personal vaccination advice. We suspect that a lot of misery and costs can be saved if travelers get vaccinated before the trip, even though this is not always indicated at the moment. If you are bitten or scratched, additional injections are still required. These, unlike the immunoglobulins, are generally readily available worldwide.”
What I miss in the message is the number of notifications. 60% higher in 2017 than the year before does not tell me much as it is not clear whether it concerns an increase from 5 to 8 reports, or – for example – from 250 to 400. Of course, that 60% does well in terms of publicity… .
i had a small puppy scratch went to hospital for injections 5 total 1100 bhat 1 year free from rabius hospital khon kaen
The current inactivated vaccine (3 injections on days 0, 7 and 21) works for a year, after which a booster injection is recommended, which gives 5 years of protection or more.
Because rabies is endemic, it is always necessary to seek treatment for a dog bite, scratch, or light contact with saliva on abraded skin. It can sometimes take more than a year for the disease to break out. There is a known case of six years. However, normally the incubation period is 12-90 days (85%).
Anyone who has been vaccinated will receive 2 extra vaccinations in the event of an infection.
Those who have not been vaccinated will receive five or more injections of vaccine and immunoglobilins.
People staying in Thailand for a long time should consider getting vaccinated.
Doctor Martin
Here's some literature for the enthusiasts
https://lci.rivm.nl/richtlijnen/rabies