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Rabies warning issued to WA travellers after surge in treatment requests from returned travellers

Hannah CrossThe West Australian
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More than 200 West Aussies reported rabies symptoms after overseas visits to attractions such as monkey parks.
Camera IconMore than 200 West Aussies reported rabies symptoms after overseas visits to attractions such as monkey parks. Credit: Kathy Alsop/restlesskath - stock.adobe.com

WA travellers have been warned to protect themselves against rabies after a surge in the number of locals needing preventative treatment for the disease after overseas trips.

More than 200 West Aussies needed treatment over the course of the year, with some being bitten by animals while visiting bat-petting zoos and monkey parks while on holiday.

Communicable Disease Control director Clare Huppatz said while dogs were the main transmitter of rabies in popular tourist destinations like Indonesia, scratches and bites from other animals such as bats and monkeys also pose a risk.

Scratches, bites or even exposure to the saliva of an infected animal through the eyes, nose or mouth can transmit the virus to humans.

“The best protection against rabies is to avoid contact with animals such as dogs and monkeys in countries that have rabies,” Dr Huppatz said.

“In addition, bats anywhere in the world, including in Australia, pose a risk and direct contact should be avoided especially if people are not wearing protective clothing.

“Even a light scratch from an animal needs to be taken seriously and requires a series of injections to be administered as soon as possible to prevent rabies.”

The CDC director said it was a timely reminder with school holidays “just around the corner” for people to take steps to reduce the chance of becoming unwell while travelling.

“Rabies infection affects your brain and central nervous system and is caused by a type of virus called a lyssavirus,” Dr Huppatz said.

“Although it is preventable by taking simple precautions and through prompt appropriate medical care, it is fatal if treatment is not started before the onset of symptoms.”

It comes after WA Health issued an alert in September after a returned traveller tested positive to mpox, an infection caused by the monkeypox virus.

WA Health advised overseas travellers to be wary, despite the public risk being low as mpox is usually spread through sex, citing at the time a 25 per cent increase in cases globally in just three weeks.

For more information on health while travelling, visit the federal Department of Health and Aged Care.

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