Rabies and the traveller

Human rabies is an invariably fatal disease once it manifests clinically. The disease, however, is preventable if medical practitioners and potential victims are adequately educated, and if pre-exposure vaccination is used judiciously. The disease has a worldwide distribution and travellers to many areas are at risk. The authors provide information for people who may be at risk through travel, explain how the disease is diagnosed and describe the use of vaccination before and after exposure.