Rabies-to get or not to get

machadinha · Mar 15th, 2005, 09:57

In fact Australia's insular paranoia towards diseases (not wholly unjustified, after all an island is easier to protect, cf. Britain's regulations) may well have to do with it. How that reflects on Canada I don't know. Maybe a colonial remnant and/or they hoped that anything that got through would die off in the snow or the blazing heat there?

We have rabies in Europe and no one is protected against it, nor do tourists seek protection against it. Then again the chances of being bitten by a rabid fox or a dog bitten by the same are next to negligible.

monkgonemad · Mar 23rd, 2005, 16:31

good idea but its $$$ and a two shot deal. lasts 3 years methinks.

Number Six · Mar 23rd, 2005, 21:06

If you want rabies shots buy them in india. The vaccine is called 'Rabipur' (purified chick-embryo cell rabies vaccine) and is made by Chiron vaccines.One shot costs 300 rupees (about 5 dollars). The strain is specific to India so youre getting the right one. The vaccine is completely safe (over 30 million doses so far) apparently.

*jyoti* · May 21st, 2005, 23:28

Was considering getting the rabies shot (amongst the other list of vaccinations) for living long term in India, and thought I would mention that several of my friends from India had rabies vaccinations as kids. So, I don't know about short term, but apparently it's a precaution not only for tourists or ex-pats but also one that Indians themselves are taking.

--Jyoti.

Sunray · May 24th, 2005, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Anyway make up your own mind by all means. What's the deal with rabies though? Worry about crossing the street in any Indian town.

Thats so true

Just get a private 2x2 bus from Delhi to Manali/Mcloud Gange. I think you'll have a re-adjustment to risk once you've got up from kissing the ground on arrival.

wandering_kat · May 24th, 2005, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunray

Just get a private 2x2 bus from Delhi to Manali/Mcloud Gange. I think you'll have a re-adjustment to risk once you've got up from kissing the ground on arrival.

seventies'hippy · May 24th, 2005, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunray

Thats so true

Just get a private 2x2 bus from Delhi to Manali/Mcloud Gange. I think you'll have a re-adjustment to risk once you've got up from kissing the ground on arrival.

Yes,,,,, Best answer yet

Gayamom · May 25th, 2005, 03:07

I believe the original poster must have made her decision and be enjoying her trip by now. Still . . .

There is an excellent rabies question and answer document by the Centers for Disease Control (U.S.):

CDC on rabies pre- and post- exposure prophylaxis

50,000 cases of rabies occur annually world-wide. Of these, 30,000 are estimated to occur on the Indian sub-continent, where animal rabies is endemic. The rabies virus is transmitted via bodily fluids from infected animals to humans, typically saliva during a bite. Human to human transmission is exceedingly rare.

In the U.S., rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (vaccination) prior to travel is recommended by the CDC for
-- those who will be working with wild or domestic animals;
-- those who will be travelling in remote areas where medical care is not immediately available;
-- those who will be travelling for over one month in a rabies endemic area (i.e. India).

Once rabies becomes symptomatic, it is almost uniformly fatal.

Hence, regardless of whether one receives pre-exposure prophylaxis or not, an animal bite on the Indian sub-continent or in any other rabies-endemic area should trigger a search for immediate medical attention, including local wound care, vaccination, and rabies immunoglobin locally at the site of the wound, if not previously immunized.

Rabies immunoglobin (RIG) is only indicated if pre-exposure prophylaxis was not received. If pre-exposure prophylaxis was not received, RIG is absolutely required for preventive efficacy. The number of vaccines needed post-exposure also depends on whether one received pre-exposure prophylaxis or not; fewer are needed if pre-exposure prophylaxis was given.

Travelers should be aware that the types of rabies vaccines available vary in various parts of the world and that availability of biologics (RIG) can vary as well. Prompt and appropriate care following an animal bite can be lifesaving.

Hoping no other "must respond" threads pop up on IndiaMike's health forum or I'll have to abandon ship -- this stuff is way too serious to pass for fun, and I feel like Melodrama Milly writing it.

-- GM

P.S. Please confirm anything you read regarding health matters with your own health provider. This information is the best I have, but I cannot guarantee it's accuracy. This is not meant as specific health advice but as general information [Medicolegal risk thing. Sorry . . .]

Mar 15th, 2005, 09:57	#16
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,917	In fact Australia's insular paranoia towards diseases (not wholly unjustified, after all an island is easier to protect, cf. Britain's regulations) may well have to do with it. How that reflects on Canada I don't know. Maybe a colonial remnant and/or they hoped that anything that got through would die off in the snow or the blazing heat there? We have rabies in Europe and no one is protected against it, nor do tourists seek protection against it. Then again the chances of being bitten by a rabid fox or a dog bitten by the same are next to negligible. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Mar 23rd, 2005, 16:31	#17
monkgonemad Aimless Drifter, Shiftless Idler, Useless Waster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoEastAsia/AsiaSubCont Posts: 416	good idea but its $$$ and a two shot deal. lasts 3 years methinks.

Mar 23rd, 2005, 21:06	#18
Number Six Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London Posts: 46	If you want rabies shots buy them in india. The vaccine is called 'Rabipur' (purified chick-embryo cell rabies vaccine) and is made by Chiron vaccines.One shot costs 300 rupees (about 5 dollars). The strain is specific to India so youre getting the right one. The vaccine is completely safe (over 30 million doses so far) apparently.

May 21st, 2005, 23:28	#19
jyoti gori ferungi ladki Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Negotiable Posts: 258	Was considering getting the rabies shot (amongst the other list of vaccinations) for living long term in India, and thought I would mention that several of my friends from India had rabies vaccinations as kids. So, I don't know about short term, but apparently it's a precaution not only for tourists or ex-pats but also one that Indians themselves are taking. --Jyoti.

May 25th, 2005, 03:07	#23
Gayamom Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 86	I believe the original poster must have made her decision and be enjoying her trip by now. Still . . . There is an excellent rabies question and answer document by the Centers for Disease Control (U.S.): CDC on rabies pre- and post- exposure prophylaxis 50,000 cases of rabies occur annually world-wide. Of these, 30,000 are estimated to occur on the Indian sub-continent, where animal rabies is endemic. The rabies virus is transmitted via bodily fluids from infected animals to humans, typically saliva during a bite. Human to human transmission is exceedingly rare. In the U.S., rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (vaccination) prior to travel is recommended by the CDC for -- those who will be working with wild or domestic animals; -- those who will be travelling in remote areas where medical care is not immediately available; -- those who will be travelling for over one month in a rabies endemic area (i.e. India). Once rabies becomes symptomatic, it is almost uniformly fatal. Hence, regardless of whether one receives pre-exposure prophylaxis or not, an animal bite on the Indian sub-continent or in any other rabies-endemic area should trigger a search for immediate medical attention, including local wound care, vaccination, and rabies immunoglobin locally at the site of the wound, if not previously immunized. Rabies immunoglobin (RIG) is only indicated if pre-exposure prophylaxis was not received. If pre-exposure prophylaxis was not received, RIG is absolutely required for preventive efficacy. The number of vaccines needed post-exposure also depends on whether one received pre-exposure prophylaxis or not; fewer are needed if pre-exposure prophylaxis was given. Travelers should be aware that the types of rabies vaccines available vary in various parts of the world and that availability of biologics (RIG) can vary as well. Prompt and appropriate care following an animal bite can be lifesaving. Hoping no other "must respond" threads pop up on IndiaMike's health forum or I'll have to abandon ship -- this stuff is way too serious to pass for fun, and I feel like Melodrama Milly writing it. -- GM P.S. Please confirm anything you read regarding health matters with your own health provider. This information is the best I have, but I cannot guarantee it's accuracy. This is not meant as specific health advice but as general information [Medicolegal risk thing. Sorry . . .]

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