Rabies is an infection of the central nervous system that can affect all warm-blooded creatures, including humans. Rabies is also known as hydrophobia (fear of water).
Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is passed to humans from animals). The rabies virus causes inflammation (swelling) of the brain and is transmitted through saliva from the bite of an infected animal, usually a dog, into the bloodstream.
If treated immediately after a bite, it is possible to prevent rabies. However, once the disease is fully established in a person and they begin to show symptoms, it almost always leads to death.
How common is rabies?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 55,000 people worldwide die from rabies every year, as a result of being bitten by a rabid animal.
Rabies is rare in the UK. The last case of rabies being caught in the UK was in 1902. All cases since then have been caught abroad, and there have been only three reported cases in the UK since 2000. The UK is officially classified as rabies free, mainly through strict animal transport controls.
You don’t have to be bitten to get rabies, a scratch that is licked by an infected animal is enough to cause the disease.
High risk areas
Rabies is prevelant in many countries worldwide, but Asia, Africa and South America report more than 95% of human deaths from rabies. The largest number of human deaths from rabies is reported in India.
Bat rabies
There are two strains of rabies-like viruses found in bats across Northern Europe, these are known as European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLVs) 1 and 2, and are commonly referred to as bat rabies.
It's rare for the viruses to infect other animals and the risk of infection to humans is thought to be low. There have been seven recorded cases of EBLV in bats in the UK, and in 2002 an unvaccinated bat handler in Scotland died from the infection.
People are not at risk if they have no direct contact with bats. If you come across a bat that is injured or needs moving, you should not touch it and should call the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 130 0228 for advice.
