Damon Mcknight
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that is currently rabies-free. This is due to the implementation of various public health measures and surveillance programs to prevent the introduction of the rabies virus into the Australian ecology. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is almost always fatal and primarily transmitted to humans by infected dogs. While Australia has successfully kept rabies at bay, the virus remains endemic in many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, North, Central, and South America, and some regions of Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rabies in Australia | Australia is currently rabies-free |
| Australian bat lyssavirus | Endemic across Australia |
| Rabies in other countries | Endemic in Asia, Africa, North, Central and South America, and parts of Europe |
| Rabies transmission | Transmitted to humans primarily by infected dogs; all mammals are susceptible |
| Australian bat lyssavirus transmission | Transmitted to humans by infected bats through bites or scratches |
| Rabies prevention | Dog vaccination and dog bite prevention; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccines available |
| Australian bat lyssavirus prevention | Preventive vaccination recommended for those at increased risk of exposure |
| Rabies fatality rate | Almost always fatal |
| Australian bat lyssavirus fatality rate | Almost always fatal |
| Rabies surveillance | Conducted through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and the Community Animal Health Surveillance Program |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is rabies-free
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that is currently rabies-free. This means that the country's animals do not carry the rabies virus. However, Australian bats may carry the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), which is closely related to rabies and can also cause rabies. ABLV is passed from bats to humans via a bite or scratch, and while human cases are very rare, bat exposures in Australia pose a potential risk of infection.
The Australian government actively works to prevent the introduction of rabies into the country. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) works with communities across Australia, as well as overseas and at the border, to protect the country from rabies and other exotic diseases. Australia also supports its close neighbours, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, in staying free from rabies through assistance with prevention and response strategies, strengthening diagnostic capacity, and developing national rabies management plans.
The Community Animal Health Surveillance Program, run by the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program, plays a crucial role in monitoring animal health across the north of Australia. Indigenous rangers receive regular training from NAQS veterinarians and are encouraged to report any sick animals, including those displaying clinical signs of rabies. NAQS conducts an annual survey of all dogs on the outer Torres Strait Islands, which includes general health examinations and sample collection for testing exotic diseases.
Additionally, Australia has contributed to a vaccine bank through the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This vaccine bank includes dog rabies vaccines that can be gifted to support rabies control and elimination programs. In 2022, Australia funded a regional rabies project to assist the Indonesian government in controlling dog-transmitted rabies, providing 200,000 dog rabies vaccines.
While rabies is not present in Australia, the country recognises the importance of preparedness and surveillance. Public health measures are in place to prevent the introduction of the rabies virus into the Australian ecology. Rabies is a nationally notifiable disease, and cases are monitored through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides information on rabies disease, vaccines, and recommendations for vaccination, including pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
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Rabies is a notifiable disease
Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by exposure to saliva or neural tissue from an animal infected with the rabies virus or other lyssaviruses. It is almost always fatal, but treatment can prevent the infection from developing. Human exposure can occur through an animal scratch or bite that has broken the skin, or by direct contact with mucosal surfaces such as the nose, eyes, or mouth. The best protection against rabies is to stay away from animals when travelling in areas where rabies is known to occur.
In Australia, rabies is monitored through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry works to keep Australia free from rabies and other exotic diseases. This includes efforts at the border and within communities across Australia. The Community Animal Health Surveillance Program, for example, runs across the north of Australia as part of the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program. Indigenous rangers report quarterly on the health status of animals in their communities through a questionnaire. Samples are also collected for laboratory diagnosis if unusual health issues are reported.
Rabies vaccines are available in Australia, and pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for people who may be at risk of exposure, such as those who work with bats or travel to rabies-enzootic areas. Booster doses are recommended for those with ongoing occupational exposure to lyssaviruses. Post-exposure prophylaxis includes prompt wound management and the administration of the rabies vaccine and, in some cases, human rabies immunoglobulin.
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Rabies prevention strategies
Rabies prevention is a critical public health issue, and Australia, which is currently rabies-free, has implemented several strategies to maintain this status. Here are some key rabies prevention strategies:
Surveillance and Monitoring
Australia closely monitors the health of animals, particularly in northern regions, through programs like the Community Animal Health Surveillance Program. This program engages Indigenous rangers, who report on animal health in their communities. This early warning system helps detect any potential cases of rabies and facilitates prompt response.
Border Control and International Cooperation
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works diligently at Australia's borders and collaborates with neighbouring countries to prevent the introduction of rabies. This includes providing assistance to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia in their rabies control and elimination efforts. Australia supports vaccine banks and contributes to the development of national rabies management plans in these regions.
Community Engagement and Awareness
Engaging communities and raising awareness about rabies is crucial. Educating people about rabies prevention, recognition of symptoms in animals, and appropriate actions to take in case of a bite empowers individuals to seek timely care and prevent further transmission.
Vaccination of High-Risk Individuals
Vaccination plays a vital role in rabies prevention. Australia recommends pre-exposure prophylaxis for individuals at high risk of exposure, including those working with bats or other mammals that can carry the virus, veterinary professionals, and travellers to rabies-enzootic areas.
Pet Vaccination and Responsible Pet Ownership
Pet owners have a crucial role in rabies prevention. Keeping pet vaccinations up to date, particularly for dogs, cats, and ferrets, is essential. Responsible pet ownership practices, such as supervising pets and preventing them from roaming freely, also reduce the risk of exposure to rabies and other diseases.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
For individuals exposed to rabies through bites or scratches, prompt medical attention is critical. Post-exposure prophylaxis includes wound management, a series of rabies vaccines, and, in some cases, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). This intervention is highly effective in preventing rabies if administered promptly after exposure.
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Rabies vaccination
Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans through exposure to the saliva or neural tissue of an infected animal. It is almost always fatal, with around 60,000 people dying from the disease each year. Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains rabies-free. However, due to its proximity to rabies-enzootic countries, there is a risk of the disease spreading to Australia.
The rabies vaccine can be administered via the intramuscular or intradermal route. The intramuscular route involves injecting the vaccine into the upper arm muscle (deltoid) for adults and the upper leg (thigh) for young children. The intradermal route uses a smaller dose of 0.1mL per injection. It is important to receive all doses as recommended by a healthcare professional to ensure the vaccine's effectiveness.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended for individuals potentially exposed to the rabies virus. PEP includes wound care, administration of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), and a rabies vaccine. The specific PEP regimen may vary depending on the individual's previous vaccination status and immune health. Typically, four doses of the vaccine are given over two weeks, along with HRIG at the initial stage of treatment. However, for those previously vaccinated, two doses of the vaccine three days apart may be sufficient.
Rabies vaccines are generally safe for all age groups, including children and breastfeeding mothers. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before receiving the vaccine to discuss any potential allergies, medical conditions, or interactions with other medications. Side effects may include redness and pain at the injection site, fever, headaches, or nausea.
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Rabies treatment
Rabies is a serious and often fatal infection that is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, if treated promptly after exposure, rabies can be prevented.
If you have been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal that may have rabies, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Wash the wound with soap and water, and contact your healthcare provider or health department for advice on whether you need further treatment. It is also important to gather as much information about the animal as possible, as this will help determine your risk of rabies exposure.
If you are travelling to an area where rabies is more common, it is recommended that you get vaccinated against rabies before your trip. This can be done through a travel health clinic, and it is important to plan ahead as it may take several weeks for the vaccine to become effective.
If you have been exposed to rabies, your doctor will likely recommend a series of shots to prevent the infection from taking hold. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP or RPEP) and consists of a dose of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) given as soon as possible after exposure, followed by a series of rabies vaccine injections. The immunoglobulin is given near the area where the bite occurred if possible, and the vaccine is given in four doses over 14 days. If you have previously had the rabies vaccine, you may only need two vaccine injections over three days.
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Frequently asked questions
Rabies is not illegal in Australia, it is non-existent. Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies.
The Australian government has implemented several public health measures to prevent the introduction of the rabies virus to the Australian ecology. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works with communities across Australia, overseas, and at the border to keep the country rabies-free. There is also a focus on rabies preparedness and surveillance, especially in northern Australia, which is very close to the eastern islands of Indonesia where rabies is spreading.
If you think you've been exposed to rabies, you should go to the hospital immediately. This is true even if you've been vaccinated against rabies.
Vaccination is your best protection against rabies. Speak with your doctor before travelling to a country that has rabies to see if you should get vaccinated. While travelling in areas where rabies occurs, it is important to stay away from animals, especially stray dogs and cats. Do not feed or pat monkeys, and try not to look at monkeys that have babies as they may feel threatened and bite suddenly.
