Where you're most likely to be infected with deadly disease after Brit dies
As the rare rabies virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals claims the life of a UK woman, we take a look at where the disease can be found across the globe
A Briton has died from rabies after being bitten by a stray dog in Morocco and travellers are now being warned by the UK Health Security Agency, known as the UKHSA, to be careful around animals when travelling to countries where the infection is prevalent. The deadly condition is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal, with exposure treatment very effective if it is given promptly.The woman who died was diagnosed in Yorkshire and The Humber, with health workers and close contacts being assessed and offered vaccination as a precautionary measure. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UKHSA, offered reassuring words for anyone worried about infection.
"There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case," said the expert. "Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission."
READ MORE: Brit woman dies from rabies after contact with stray dog on Morocco holiday
Thousands of people do die each year from rabies, mainly in Asia and Africa, which makes up for 95 per cent of the human deaths around the world. Tragically, 40 per cent of fatalities involve children.Contributing factors to the prevalence of rabies in the two continents include inadequate vaccination programmes, a lack of access to healthcare due to poverty and high numbers of stray dogs. We take a closer look at the global spread...
Asia
Rabies is particularly prevalent in South Asia, with high incidence rates in countries including India, which is a significant global contributor to rabies deaths, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Africa
Many African nations also experience high rates of rabies, particularly in rural areas. East and West Africa are considered high-risk, particularly for canine rabies. Countries like Ethiopia, Burundi, and Rwanda are countries specifically identified as rabies hotspots.
Other areas
While rabies is less common in Europe and North America, it still exists in certain wildlife populations. In the Americas, bats are the primary vectors of the disease while in Eastern Europe, there are sporadic cases involving red foxes.Rabies does not circulate in wild or domestic animals in the UK but some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There were six cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported over here between 2000 and 2024.The World Health Organization says travellers visiting areas where rabies is prevalent should be aware of the risks and know what to do if they are bitten or scratched. Dr Katherine Russell advised: "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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medical News Today
14 hours ago
- Medical News Today
Walking 100 minutes per day may help lower risk of chronic back pain
For many people, low back pain is chronic, meaning it is constant for at least three are several risk factors for chronic low back pain, such as not getting enough physical activity. A new study found that increasing the length of time and intensity of one's walks may help lower the risk of experiencing chronic low back to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 619 million people around the world were living with low back pain in 2020. This number is expected to hit 843 million by 2050. For many people, their low back pain is chronic, meaning it is constant for at least three months. And the pain is moderate to intense, affecting their daily lives. There are a number of risk factors for chronic low back pain. Some are not modifiable, such as age, genetics, and underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, spinal infections, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia. However, several risk factors are modifiable, including obesity, improving lifting techniques, smoking, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle.'Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and accounts for the highest healthcare spending in the U.S.,' Rayane Haddadj, MS, a PhD candidate in the Department of Public Health and Nursing at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway, told Medical News Today. 'Identifying modifiable risk factors that can be targeted and easily implemented through public health policy and interventions is therefore of great importance.'Haddadj is the first author of a new study recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open that says increasing the length of time you walk, and its intensity, may help lower your risk for chronic low back pain. Walking 100+ minutes per day lowers low back pain riskFor this study, researchers analyzed medical data from more than 11,000 adult participants with an average age of about 55 from the Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study in Norway, which ran from 2017 to 2019 with a follow-up in 2021 to 2023. At the start of the HUNT study, study participants did not have chronic low back pain. Researchers focused on the daily minutes each participant walked and their walking intensity, or how quickly they walked, which is calculated by using the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) per the study's conclusion, Haddadj and his team found that participants walking for more than 100 minutes per day were associated with a 23% lower risk of chronic low back pain, compared to those who walked less than 78 minutes per day.78 vs. 100 minutes a day'Our study shows that higher daily walking volume lowers the risk of developing chronic low back pain. The relationship was dose-dependent — meaning the more people walked, the lower their risk — up to about 100 minutes per day, after which the benefit leveled off. Even small increases in daily walking were associated with a decreased risk of chronic low back pain.' — Rayane Haddadj, MSWalking intensity also linked to lower pain riskAdditionally, researchers discovered that walking intensity was also associated with the risk of chronic low back pain, but to a lesser degree than walking volume. 'Our results suggest that a higher average walking intensity is associated with lower risk of chronic low back pain,' Haddadj said. 'However, the association was less pronounced than for walking volume. Further research, including a more robust assessment of walking intensity, could enhance our understanding of its association with the risk of chronic low back pain.''Our results reinforce a growing body of evidence showing that physical activity is essential for long-term health. Even small increases in daily activity can make a difference. Or as the World Health Organization puts it 'every move counts towards a better health'.'— Rayane Haddadj, MS'Walking is a simple, low cost, and accessible activity that can be promoted widely to reduce the burden of low back pain,' Haddadj added. 'Walking more could therefore be a simple yet powerful way to reduce risk of chronic low back pain and other diseases. Future studies investigating parameters such as timing and context of walking could enhance our understanding of the association between walking and risk of chronic low back pain.' Walking more may not always prevent back painMNT spoke with Neel Anand, MD, MCh Orth, a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon and director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, about this study. Anand commented that while he agrees with the study's findings that activity is better than no activity, he does not agree with the idea that if you walk, you will lower your risk for chronic back pain. 'Walking does not prevent back pain. Walking helps you get better because activity will help back pain always — it actually does. If you have chronic back pain, activity and walking actually makes it feel better than remaining stationary.' — Neel Anand, MD, MCh Orth'But the idea that you walk, you're not going to get back pain, makes no sense at all — that idea is not logical,' Anand continued. 'Back pain is a degenerative disorder. Yes, a couch potato has more chances of getting back pain than a person who's more active — that is correct. But to take that a step further and say, just because you walk, you're not going to get back pain is too far a reach. In my opinion, that's too far a conclusion to make.'
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Passengers forced to evacuate train with no air conditioning after 'slowly cooki
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Passengers were forced to walk down sizzling train tracks after a Thameslink service became stuck in the 34°C heat. Customers on the service said they felt as if they were being 'slow cooked' after the train came to a halt – and the air conditioning stopped working. At least three trains had to stop in the middle of their journeys due to faults, with one service shown being evacuated. One customer wrote online: '[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. 'The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked.' Another took to socials to ask to be rescued, saying they had been stuck on a train between Blackfriars and East Croydon for more than an hour with no air conditioning. One added they were on a 'rammed' service to Brighton, describing the journey as a 'medical accident waiting to happen'. Footage shows passengers jumping from the train onto the ground below and walking along the tracks as the sun beats down on them. Many can be seen ragging suitcases behind them, or helping older passengers make the climb down. It comes as temperatures peak today during the days long heatwave, with highs of 34°C, below the June record of 35.6°C in 1976. Thameslink said: ' Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident.' People living in London and the West Midlands are most at risk of becoming seriously ill in the extreme heat. More than 10,000 people died prematurely in summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). More Trending The agency has issued amber heat-health alerts across the country, running until 9am on Monday. Dr Agostinho Sousa said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°c in many areas. 'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. 'It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Family's plea for truth after man shot dead in 'case of mistaken identity' MORE: Moment officer tells Christian street preacher 'it's all wrong' outside station MORE: Sister charged with murdering film director in missing diamond Rolex case
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
How vaccine fears and summer holidays could trigger a measles surge
As the June heatwave begins and families prepare for a summer of festivals and flying off abroad, experts are warning that thousands may return home this year with an unwanted holiday souvenir. Measles – the highly infectious but preventable disease from the past – is making a concerning comeback. Already, a number of popular destinations – including France, Spain and Italy – have seen 'large' outbreaks, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Analysis by WHO Europe and Unicef reported 127,350 measles cases in the European region for 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023. It is also the highest number since 1997. It's a similar story across the pond. Canada, which only recorded an average of 91 measles cases annually from 1998 to 2024, has 2,885 confirmed cases already this year. Meanwhile, there were more measles cases in the US during the first three months of 2025 than in all of 2024, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 'It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family,' says Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. 'Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK. 'Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child and it's not something you want to experience when away on holiday.' While cases are still lower in the UK than they were in 2024, experts are also worried that unvaccinated people could contract the disease at large-scale events such as Glastonbury – which starts next week. 'Festivals are the perfect place for measles to spread,' says Dr Alasdair Wood, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West. 'We want festival-goers to enjoy their time at Glastonbury and other festivals this year. Being aware of the current health risks will help those attending enjoy their time as much as possible. If you're not fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, please contact your GP to see if you can get an appointment before coming to the festival.' Vaccine hesitancy and the declining MMR vaccination rates – only 85 per cent of UK children are receiving two doses, well below the 95 per cent needed for herd immunity – may well be the reason why a surge in measles is being predicted later this year. Dr Hana Patel, a GP, says that although she hasn't seen any cases of measles this year so far in her surgery in south-east London, like most health professionals, she's concerned that the pandemic as well as other factors are to blame for the lack of vaccinations in some parts of the UK. 'There have always been some communities who are vaccine hesitant – there is evidence that traveller communities don't have access to the same information most people do, or patients from particular areas from Europe, where they don't have a vaccine schedule, are two examples,' she says. 'But after Covid, I've noticed more people – even some doctors – who seem quite complacent about vaccines. 'It's not always a family's fault. If you have a transient population, perhaps a family in temporary accommodation who are then moved to another area, they might miss their letter or appointment. Or then they will get an appointment and then forget about it because it's not on everyone's mind all the time. It's really important to find out the challenges in each particular area and target them with specific help. 'Other parents may not understand that it's not just one vaccination but you need two to be fully protected. Children in larger families may also be at risk because parents think one child has had it and so they think that protects the others or they can't remember if the others have had it. Speaking a different language may be another factor. 'I really hope that more people get the vaccine done, because long-term consequences such as meningitis and hearing loss, are incredibly serious. We also have to remember the risks to pregnant women of being exposed to measles too (contracting measles can lead to severe complications with pregnancy and birth). It's more than just the child who has been vaccinated, it's the people around them too.' Dr Naveed Asif, a GP from the London General Practice, says he has encountered a diverse spectrum of patients who have been influenced by the misinformation surrounding vaccines. 'One notable instance involved a well-educated couple who meticulously researched every decision they make regarding their children's health,' he says. 'They came to me with a palpable sense of uncertainty after reading a negative article about the MMR vaccine. Despite the wealth of positive data supporting its safety and efficacy, they were fixated on that one negative report. 'I've also treated patients from backgrounds where traditional beliefs about health are prevalent. For example, families from South Asian communities often rely heavily on parental advice and anecdotal experiences. They might argue that they've never needed vaccines in their lives and feel confident in their decision to forgo them. This reliance on peer opinion can lead to a strong sense of community validation, but it can also perpetuate hesitancy about vaccinations. 'From my personal experience, I often see sick children presenting to their GP first, and I have encountered significantly unwell children whose parents have chosen not to vaccinate. These families often find themselves reliant on more invasive, distressing and intensive resources to support their child's illness. I firmly believe that exposing children to vaccines early, rather than keeping them unprotected, is more likely to build immunity and contribute to healthier, stronger adults overall.' But vaccine hesitancy is not the only factor. Although the figures for measles were low during the Covid pandemic, the lockdowns appear to have exacerbated the current increase in measles figures, with over 1.8 million infants in the WHO European region missing their vaccinations between 2020 and 2022. England had already experienced 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in 2024, the highest number of cases recorded annually since 2012. One young person was confirmed to have died in the UK last year of the disease. 'We have seen a steady decline in vaccination coverage for children over the past 10 years and we now find ourselves in a situation where the UK does not meet the WHO target of 95 per cent coverage for any routine childhood immunisations,' says Dr Helen Stewart, the officer for health improvement at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. 'The result of this trend is being felt already, with measles outbreaks occurring across the UK, increasing cases of whooping cough and poliovirus being found in sewage samples in London. 'Because the MMR vaccine has been so successful in preventing outbreaks, many parents and caregivers today have never witnessed the sometimes devastating impact measles can have on children and babies. Measles is one of the more contagious diseases – more transmissible than even Covid – and poses a serious threat, especially to children under the age of five. 'Paediatricians are particularly concerned about current and potential outbreaks in the UK, especially during the upcoming winter period. This is already an extremely tough time for health care professionals, with high surges in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, as well as circulating Covid and group A streptococcus (GAS). To have another highly contagious, dangerous and preventable disease, making children sick, would be disastrous. Not only could it put other young patients at serious risk, it could also add further pressure to paediatric wards. 'We understand that vaccine hesitancy may be an issue in some instances, but evidence shows that accessibility and availability of health appointments plays a huge role in low uptake. We urge the UK Government to take forward the commitments of the NHS's vaccine strategy and work towards reversing this dangerous trend.' Six decades ago, up to more than half a million people in the UK could be affected by measles each year, and around 100 people would die annually. Author Roald Dahl's seven-year-old daughter was one such victim, dying of complications from the disease in 1962. Thousands were left with respiratory, brain or hearing problems. But the MMR vaccine changed everything. Introduced in 1968, it's thought to have prevented over 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths in the UK. When offered to all children in 1988 (and the second dose MMR vaccine was brought in for preschoolers in 1996), the number of cases in the UK fell dramatically. So much so that in 2017, WHO confirmed that the UK had achieved 'measles elimination status', something the US had already achieved in 2000. Despite the UK losing this status shortly afterwards, it regained it again in 2021 after the Covid pandemic. Yet now, doctors are facing real fears that it has taken a foothold once again. 'The challenge is not anecdotal, it is very real,' says Dr Benjamin Kasstan-Dabush of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 'There has been a global rise in measles cases, and two unvaccinated children died from measles in Texas this year, reminding us of just how dangerous this preventable disease is. 'High vaccination coverage helps to prevent the spread of disease, but rates are just not as high as they need to be. It is likely that the number of confirmed cases of measles does not reflect the actual burden of illness. 'This is particularly worrying because a child infected with measles can deteriorate rapidly, and there is always a risk of them developing encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). So, we should all be concerned about a predicted surge in measles cases.' Since January this year, 420 lab-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England, with London reporting almost half of all cases in the past four weeks. Outside the capital, Bristol has seen the highest number of cases, with 47 so far this year, followed by Leeds (29) and Essex (22). A number of other regions are also reporting outbreaks, with 25 per cent of cases in the North West, and 11 per cent in the West Midlands. Earlier this month, UKHSA published its monthly update showing there were 109 confirmed cases in April and 86 so far in May – most have been in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under. 'We have seen a small increase in the number of measles cases in Birmingham over recent weeks,' says Dr Clara Day, the chief medical officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull. 'We know how easy it is for viruses like this to spread within our communities, especially where we know there is a high number of unvaccinated people. 'Unfortunately we know that misinformation surrounding the MMR immunisation is prevalent, but it is safe, effective and the only protection we have against these illnesses. Measles in particular can be deadly in the most serious of cases, so I would encourage all parents to make informed decisions about whether to get their child immunised.'
