beginning of content

Rabies

12-minute read

If you are scratched or bitten by an animal that may have rabies, get medical attention right away. Even if you have been vaccinated against rabies, you still need to see a doctor.

Key facts

  • Rabies is a virus most often acquired from a bite or scratch from an infected animal.
  • The rabies virus infects your brain and central nervous system.
  • The first symptoms may be similar to the flu and may include weakness, headache and fever.
  • While there is no rabies in Australia, Australian bats may carry lyssavirus, which is closely related to rabies.
  • Rabies can be prevented with vaccination — speak to your doctor if you are travelling to a country where there is a rabies virus risk.

What is rabies?

Rabies is an infection that affects your brain and central nervous system. It’s caused by a type of virus called a lyssavirus. You can get rabies from a bite or scratch from an infected animal.

In very rare cases, rabies can also be contracted from an organ transplant.

Rabies in humans is almost always fatal (causes death), but prompt treatment can stop the infection from developing.

Australia is one of the few countries in the world that does not have rabies. However, Australian bats carry other viruses in the lyssavirus family including Australian bat lyssavirus, which is closely related to rabies.

What are the symptoms of rabies?

Rabies symptoms usually first appear 2 to 3 months after being exposed to the virus. But they can appear anywhere from a week to a year after exposure. Symptoms include:

Other symptoms of rabies in humans can include:

Once symptoms appear, there is no treatment for rabies. The illness progresses rapidly causing paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death, usually within a week or 2.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes rabies?

Rabies is caused by infection with the rabies virus. You can catch the virus from infected animals through:

Overseas, rabies occurs in many animals including:

More than 9 out 10 cases of rabies in humans are caused by bites from infected dogs.

Animals in Australia do not have rabies. However, Australian bat lyssavirus is found in Australian bats. It can be transmitted from bats to humans via a bite or scratch from an infected bat.

While it’s very rare, you should assume that any bat in Australia could potentially carry the virus.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are scratched or bitten by an animal that may have rabies, get medical attention right away. Even if you have been vaccinated against rabies you still need to see a doctor.

If you are overseas and are bitten or scratched by an animal you should:

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat in Australia, you should:

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is rabies diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you about what happened and whether you have any symptoms. Your doctor may:

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is rabies treated?

Treatment for rabies should start straight away, even if your diagnosis is not confirmed. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and is done to prevent infection from developing.

If you have been exposed to the rabies virus, your doctor will give you post-exposure rabies vaccine. Some people will also be given antibodies called human rabies immunoglobulin. These can help you fight the infection.

A series of rabies vaccinations must then be given over time, usually over 2 weeks.

If you receive treatment abroad, ask for a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) certificate. This should list:

Show this information to your doctor as soon as you return to Australia. You may need more treatment in Australia.

Can rabies be prevented?

Rabies can be avoided through vaccination.

It’s also important to stay away from animals when travelling in areas where rabies occurs.

Reducing risk of rabies

There are ways to reduce your risk of exposure to rabies when in a country with rabies:

Follow these steps even if you have received the rabies vaccine.

Speak to your doctor if you are travelling to a country where there is a rabies virus risk. You may benefit from vaccination.

Rabies vaccine

Vaccination is your best protection against rabies. The vaccine can be given before exposure to rabies. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This table tells you more about the rabies vaccine.

Who should get vaccinated?

  • people who have contact with bats
  • people travelling to places where rabies is endemic
  • laboratory workers who work with live lyssaviruses

When to get vaccinated?

You should see your doctor 6 to 12 weeks before going overseas to countries where there is rabies.

How many doses are required?

3 doses over 1 month.

How is it administered?

Injection

Is it free?

No, there is a cost for the rabies vaccine.

Common side effects

The vaccine is very safe. Side effects may include:


Complications of rabies

Rabies is almost always fatal, once symptoms appear.

Resources and support

You can check the countries where rabies is endemic on the World Health Organization website.

If you need to know more about rabies or need advice on what to do next, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours, 7 days a week (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).

Check your symptoms Find a health service

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice and information you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information