Update on rabies free status of France: August 2009

Since France lost its rabies free status in 2008, current HPA guidance on animal exposures in France had been to treat these as low risk with vaccine only.  Although France has not officially regained its rabies free status, detailed surveillance has not detected any further cases of rabies in animals and French authorities believe that there is no increased risk from animal bites, scratches and licks occurring within France.

Therefore, on the basis of advice from French colleagues HPA guidance has been revised such that animal bites, scratches and licks occurring within France should be treated as no risk (i.e. no PEP required). 

Last reviewed: 4 November 2009