Confirmed rabies case in dog in France

3 March 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has become aware of a case of confirmed rabies in a dog, diagnosed in France on the 26th February. The French authorities have identified 4 potential risk areas where people may have been exposed to rabies. The risk of rabies is considered ongoing in these areas.

The geographical areas and corresponding periods of risk are:

•  Hautes-Pyrénées ( Tarbes city and surroundings), from the 25th October 2007 onwards

•  Gers (Auch city and surroundings), from the 1st November onwards

•  Seine-et-Marne, from the 15th December onwards

•  Calvados (Lisieux city and Thury Harcourt village and their surroundings), from the 15th December onwards

The risk to humans from this incident is considered low, nonetheless the HPA is advising anyone who has sustained a dog bite while travelling or staying in the regions of France during the dates detailed above to seek prompt medical advice from their GP or NHS Direct.

GPs, A&Es and other health care professionals are asked to be vigilant in assessing people who report dog bites which occurred in the affected French regions during the periods of risk. Doctors are also asked to check records to review and reassess any cases who have previously presented with dog bites after travelling to the affected areas, who may have been reassured that there was no risk of rabies in France.

Dr David Brown , a rabies expert at the HPA, said: “Rabies is an acute viral infection but one that is extremely rare in the UK and other parts of Europe . The risk to UK travellers is considered low; nonetheless we are advising anyone who has had significant contact with dogs such as having been bitten, scratched or licked around the eyes, mouth or on an open wound, during a stay in the affected French regions, to seek prompt medical advice.

“Prompt post exposure treatment following a bite is effective in preventing rabies.”

The Health Protection Agency is in close contact with the French authorities, who have undertaken a full risk assessment. Since the French investigations are ongoing the HPA will issue further advice on its website as and when this becomes available.

There have been no human cases of rabies reported in France due to this incident .

Until further information is available, travellers to the affected areas of France are advised to avoid contact with animals wherever possible and to seek early medical assessment in the case of bites, scratches or licks from dogs.

 

-ends-

 

Notes to Editors:

1. The French Ministry of Health has issued a press statement about the rabies case which can be found at the following weblink: (French language only) http://www.sante-jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr/actualite-presse/presse-sante/communiques/cas-rage-animale-seine-marne-recherche-personnes-animaux-contact.html?var_mode=calcul#nh1

Laboratory testing by the French authorities confirmed the dog has a canine viral strain of Moroccan origin.

 

Current list of villages considered at-risk in Seine et Marne

Andrezel	Crisenoy	Nangis
Argentières	Fontenailles	Pécy
Aubepierre-Ozouer-Le-Repos	Fontenay-Tresigny	Quiers
Bernay-Vilbert	Fouju	Rampillon
Blandy	Gastins	Rozay-En-Brie
Bombon	Grandpuits-Bailly-Carrois	Saint-Mery
Bréau	Guignes	Saint-Ouen-En-Brie
Champeaux	La Chapelle-Gauthier	Vanvillé
Chaumes-En-Brie	La Chapelle-Iger	Vaudoy-en-Brie
Clos-Fontaine	La Croix-En-Brie	Verneuil-l'Etang
Courpalay	Maison-Rouge	Vieux-Champagne
Courtomer	Mormant

 

2. Persons travelling with pets to France and other EU countries are expected to do so under the Pet Travel Scheme. This requires that animals are vaccinated against rabies and show protection through a blood test. Should pet owners think that their pet may have had significant contact with dogs such as been bitten, scratched or has been licked around the eyes, mouth or licked on an open wound during a stay in the affected French regions, or if they have any other animal health concerns, they should contact their private veterinary surgeon.

 

3. Rabies is an acute viral infection that is extremely rare in the UK; the last case of classical rabies acquired in this country was a century ago, in 1902. Very occasionally cases occurring since then have all been acquired abroad, usually through dog bites. Transmission is usually through saliva via the bite of an infected animal; there are no documented cases of human-to-human transmission. Since 1946 there have been 22 deaths in the UK from rabies acquired abroad. A person who is bitten by a rabid animal but given treatment with rabies vaccines can expect not to develop rabies. Rabies vaccine is very safe and highly effective at preventing rabies, but should be given promptly once the risk has been identified.

 

4. Further information on rabies is available at the Agency's website http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rabies/menu.htm

 

5. Healthcare professionals and members of the public can find more information about travel health (including country specific advice) by logging onto the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website www.nathnac.org or the Fit for Travel website at http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/

 

6. For media enquiries, please contact the HPA Centre for Infections press office on 020 327 6690/6647/7097/7098.

Last reviewed: 29 December 2008