A person from Yorkshire has died from rabies after contact with a stray dog in Morocco. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the person became infected while on holiday in the North African country. The agency said there was no risk to the wider public due to no documented evidence of rabies passing between people. Close contacts of the person and health workers were being assessed and offered vaccinations when necessary as a precaution, a UKHSA spokesperson added. Rabies can cause a life-threatening infection of the brain and nervous system in humans. It is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, the UKHSA said, but post-exposure treatment is "very effective" at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus. Dr Katherine Russell, from the UKHSA, said: "Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK. "If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay."
Briton dies from rabies after stray dog contact in Morocco
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"Yorkshire Resident Dies from Rabies After Contact with Stray Dog in Morocco"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A tragic case has emerged involving a resident from Yorkshire who succumbed to rabies after coming into contact with a stray dog during a holiday in Morocco. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the individual contracted the virus while traveling in the North African country. Rabies is a serious viral infection that primarily affects the brain and nervous system, and it is transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. The agency reassured the public that there is no documented evidence of rabies transmission between humans, indicating that the risk to the wider community remains negligible. As a precautionary measure, close contacts of the deceased individual, along with health workers involved in their care, are being evaluated and offered vaccinations as necessary to mitigate any potential risk of transmission.
Dr. Katherine Russell from the UKHSA emphasized the rarity of human rabies cases in the UK, noting that such instances are extremely uncommon. She highlighted the importance of immediate medical intervention following any exposure to rabies, particularly in regions where the disease is prevalent. If someone is bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal in these areas, it is crucial to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice promptly. The UKHSA also pointed out that while rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, post-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective in preventing the disease when administered quickly after exposure to the virus. This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with animal interactions while traveling in countries where rabies is endemic, underscoring the importance of awareness and preventive measures for travelers.
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