Communicating the importance of pre-exposure rabies vaccination

Abstract

Health professionals providing travel advice must understand the purpose and regime of recommendations for pre- and post-rabies exposure and communicate them to travellers, including new guidance from Public Health England, writes Catherine Brewer Rabies is an acute viral encephalomyelitis caused by members of the lyssavirus genus. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, resulting in progressive inflammation of the spinal cord and brain ( National Travel Health Network and Centre, 2016 ). Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal; however, it is vaccine-preventable. Having a full understanding of the gravity of the disease, plus the purpose and regime of the pre- and post-exposure recommendations, and communicating these clearly, will allow travellers to make informed decisions. It is also vital that people know what to do if they have a potential exposure, and receive the correct post-exposure treatment, regardless of their vaccination status.