Canine rabies in southeastern France, November 2008

On 14th November 2008, the Institute Pasteur in France confirmed a case of rabies in a 3-month old German Shepherd from Saint André-le-Gaz, a small town in the Isère department, 70 km from Grenoble (see Figure).  The dog died on the 10th November with neurological symptoms, which had first developed on the 30th October. The dog tested positive by PCR for classical rabies virus, genotype 1, a strain originating from Morocco.

  (Figure: Map of France showing Isère in red)

The dog was originally found in a car park in Malaga, Spain on the 12th October and driven to France the same day. Once in France, the dog was confined to the new owners’ premises. It is highly probable that the dog was already infected with the rabies virus when it was found in Spain.
The risk period due to the excretion of rabies virus is believed to be from the 14th October through to the 10th November. French health authorities have identified approximately 30 people who had contact with the dog during this time, and provided advice on preventative treatment.
France lost its rabies free status earlier this year following an incident involving three rabid dogs.  The Health Protection Agency regards France as a low risk country for rabies, and recommends that any person visiting France who is licked, scratched or bitten by a wild or domestic animal should wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek urgent medical advice either in France, or on their return from their GP or NHS Direct.  This advice remains the same for this current incident.

Last reviewed: 21 November 2008