Rabies case confirmed in Britain after dog bite in Asia We would like to reassure our patients, visitors and staff that there is no risk to them as a result of this case. The HPA said cases of rabies in the UK were "extremely rare" with only four people identified as contracting the disease from dogs since 2000. But there are more than 55,000 deaths from human rabies around the world each year. It is contacted through the saliva of an infected animal and is prevalent in most developing countries including south and south-east Asia. Dr Brian McCloskey, director of the HPA for London, said: "It is important to stress that there is no risk to the general public as a result of this case or to patients and visitors at the hospital where the patient is receiving treatment. Despite there being tens of thousands of rabies cases each year worldwide, there have been no documented laboratory confirmed cases of human-to-human spread. Therefore the risk to other humans or animals from a patient with rabies is considered negligible. Rabies affected the central nervous system with symptoms including anxiety, headaches and fever. As the infection develops, patients also suffer spasms - making it difficult to drink - and respiratory failure. In 2003, it was recognised that bats could carry a similar illness to rabies after a bat handler died from a rabies-like infection a year earlier. Professor David Brown, a rabies expert at the HPA, said: "It is essential to get health advice if you are travelling to countries where rabies is common or if you know you will be working with animals. Talk to your doctor or nurse about whether or not a rabies vaccine is appropriate before you travel. All travellers to a rabies-endemic country should avoid contact with cats, dogs and other animals wherever possible as you cannot be certain that there is no risk. If you are bitten, scratched, or licked by a warm blooded animal you must take immediate action and wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water. Seek medical advice without delay even if you have been previously vaccinated. Rabies vaccine is extremely effective at preventing rabies if you are bitten even when this is given some time after an exposure. If you do not seek medical treatment while abroad, you should still seek it when you come home.