Person dies in Yorkshire from rabies after contact with stray dog

BREAKING

The person reportedly came into contact with the animal whilst on holiday in Morocco.

Those who had close contact with the individual, including health workers, are currently being assessed a precautionary measure and being offered vaccinations, officials have said.

The agency has stressed that there is no risk to the wider public due to there being no evidence of it passing between humans.

Rabies is an almost always fatal virus which is passed through bites or scratches from infected animals.

Despite the high death rate, post-exposure treatment does exist which can be very effective if administered promptly after infection.

The individual was diagnosed in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.

“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 in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.

“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”

Rabies has practically been eradicated from the UK, however, some countries have not managed to fully rid themselves of the disease.

Morocco is estimated to have around three millions stray dogs.