Rabies
Rabies is a virus transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — usually dogs. It is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but entirely preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment. Wash any bite immediately and seek medical care the same day.
Vaccine
Available
Preventive medication
Available
Incubation
Typically 1–3 months, but can range from days to over a year depending on the wound location.
How it spreads
Through the saliva of infected animals, via bites, scratches, or licks on broken skin. Dogs are the main source for travelers; bats, monkeys and other mammals can also carry it.
Where it's a risk
Present worldwide; highest risk in parts of Asia and Africa where dog rabies is common and medical resources for PEP may be limited.
Symptoms to watch for
- Early: fever, headache, and tingling or itching at the wound site
- Later: anxiety, confusion, agitation
- Advanced: difficulty swallowing, fear of water (hydrophobia), paralysis
- Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost universally fatal
How to prevent it
- 1Avoid contact with stray and wild animals, especially dogs and monkeys
- 2Consider pre-exposure vaccination for remote travel or long stays
- 3After any bite or scratch: wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes
- 4Seek post-exposure treatment immediately — do not wait
Treatment
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — a series of rabies vaccine doses, plus rabies immune globulin for the unvaccinated — is nearly 100% effective if started promptly after exposure. There is no effective treatment once symptoms develop, so speed is everything.
Who's most at risk
Travelers to endemic areas, especially those going to rural areas, cyclists, animal workers, long-stay travelers, and children.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get the rabies vaccine before traveling?▼
Pre-exposure vaccination is worth considering for remote travel, long stays, or destinations where post-exposure treatment may be hard to get quickly. It simplifies treatment if you're bitten but doesn't remove the need for prompt care.
What do I do if I'm bitten by an animal abroad?▼
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 15 minutes, then seek medical care the same day for post-exposure treatment. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop — by then it's too late.
Where to watch for it
Country guides where this is a notable risk.
ThailandRelated disease guides
Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal disease spread by night-biting Anopheles mosquitoes. There's no vaccine for travelers, but prophylactic medication plus bite prevention are highly effective. Symptoms (fever, chills, flu-like illness) can appear weeks to months after travel.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes, common in tropical and subtropical cities. There's no specific treatment and no prophylactic drug, so bite prevention is the main defense. Most cases resolve in about a week, but severe dengue is a medical emergency.
Prepare before you go
Build a Trip Kit and we’ll flag Rabies risk for your destinations and match the right prevention to your itinerary.
Build my Trip KitSources: CDC Travelers' Health · WHO International Travel and Health. Last updated 2026-07-31. This page is informational and not a substitute for advice from a travel-medicine provider.