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The Independent
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Rabies: What you need to know about the disease before going abroad
The recent death of a British woman from rabies after a holiday in Morocco is a sobering reminder of the risks posed by this almost universally fatal disease, once symptoms begin. If you're considering travelling to a country where rabies is endemic, understanding how rabies works – and how to protect yourself – may go a long way in helping you stay safe. Rabies is a zoonotic disease – meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans – and is caused by a viral infection. In 99% of cases the source of the infection is a member of the Canidae family (such as dogs, foxes and wolves). Bats are another animal group strongly associated with rabies, as the virus is endemic in many bat populations. Even in countries that are officially rabies-free, including in their domestic animal populations – such as Australia, Sweden and New Zealand – the virus may still be found in native bat species. Other animals known to transmit rabies include raccoons, cats and skunks. Rabies is caused by lyssaviruses (lit. rage or fury viruses), which are found in the saliva of infected animals. Transmission to humans can occur through bites, scratches or licks to broken skin or mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth. Once inside the body, the virus spreads to eventually reach the nervous system. Because it causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, symptoms are primarily neurological, often stemming from damage to the nerve pathways responsible for sensation and muscle control. Patients who develop rabies symptoms often experience altered skin sensation and progressive paralysis. As the virus affects the brain, it can also cause hallucinations and unusual or erratic behaviours. One particularly distinctive symptom – hydrophobia, a serious aversion to water – is believed to result from severe pain and difficulty associated with swallowing. Once rabies symptoms appear, the virus has already caused irreversible damage. At this stage, treatment is limited to supportive intensive care aimed at easing discomfort – such as providing fluids, sedation and relief from pain and seizures. Death typically results from progressive neurological deterioration, which ultimately leads to respiratory failure. It's important to note that rabies symptoms can take several weeks, or even months, to appear. During this incubation period, there may be no signs that prompt people to seek medical help. However, this window is crucial as it offers the best chance to administer treatment and prevent the virus from progressing. Another danger lies in how the virus is transmitted. Even animals that don't appear rabid – the classical frothing mouth and aggressive behaviour, for instance – can still transmit the virus. Rabies can be transmitted through even superficial breaks in the skin, so minor wounds should not be dismissed or treated less seriously. It's also important to remember that bat wounds can often be felt but not seen. This makes them easy to overlook, should there be no bleeding or clear mark on the skin. The vaccine The good news is that there are proven and effective ways to protect yourself from rabies – either before travelling to a higher-risk area, or after possible exposure to an infected animal. Modern rabies vaccines are far easier to administer than older versions, which some may recall – often with discomfort. In the past, treatment involved multiple frequent injections (over 20 in all) into the abdomen using a large needle. This was the case for a friend of mine who grew up in Africa and was one day bitten by a dog just hours after it had been attacked by a hyena. The vaccine can now be given as an injection into a muscle, for instance in the shoulder, and a typical preventative course requires three doses. Since the protective effect can wane with time, booster shots may be needed for some individuals to maintain protection. Sustaining a bite from any animal should always be taken seriously. Aside from rabies, animals carry many potentially harmful bacteria in their mouths, which can cause skin and soft tissue infections – or sepsis if they spread to the bloodstream. First aid and wound treatment is the first port of call, and seeking urgent medical attention for any bites, scratches or licks to exposed skin or mucous membranes sustained abroad. In the UK, this also applies to any injuries sustained from bats. A doctor will evaluate the risk based on the wound, the animal involved, whether the patient has had previous vaccines, and in which country they were bitten, among other things. This will help to guide treatment, which might include vaccines alone or combined with an infusion of immunoglobulin infusions – special antibodies that target the virus. Timing is crucial. The sooner treatment is started, the better the outcome. This is why it is so important to seek medical help immediately. In making the decision whether you should get a vaccine before going on holiday, there are recommendations, but ultimately the choice is individual. Think about what the healthcare is like where you are going and whether you'll be able to get treatment easily if you need it. Vaccines can have side-effects, though these tend to be relatively minor, and the intended benefits vastly exceed the costs. And of course, avoid contact with stray animals while on holiday, despite how tempting it may be to pet them. Several rules of thumb can counteract the dangers of rabies: plan your holiday carefully, seek travel advice from your GP, and always treat animal bites and scrapes seriously.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
British holidaymaker dies from rabies: what you need to know about the disease and getting the jab if you're going abroad this summer
The recent death of a British woman from rabies after a holiday in Morocco is a sobering reminder of the risks posed by this almost universally fatal disease, once symptoms begin. If you're considering travelling to a country where rabies is endemic, understanding how rabies works – and how to protect yourself – may go a long way in helping you stay safe. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Rabies is a zoonotic disease – meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans – and is caused by a viral infection. In 99% of cases the source of the infection is a member of the canidae family (such as dogs, foxes and wolves). Bats are another animal group strongly associated with rabies, as the virus is endemic in many bat populations. Even in countries that are officially rabies-free, including in their domestic animal populations – such as Australia, Sweden and New Zealand – the virus may still be found in native bat species. Other animals known to transmit rabies include raccoons, cats and skunks. Rabies is caused by lyssaviruses (lit. rage or fury viruses), which are found in the saliva of infected animals. Transmission to humans can occur through bites, scratches or licks to broken skin or mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth. Once inside the body, the virus spreads to eventually reach the nervous system. Because it causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, symptoms are primarily neurological, often stemming from damage to the nerve pathways responsible for sensation and muscle control. Patients who develop rabies symptoms often experience altered skin sensation and progressive paralysis. As the virus affects the brain, it can also cause hallucinations, and unusual or erratic behaviours. One particularly distinctive symptom – hydrophobia, a serious aversion to water – is believed to result from severe pain and difficulty associated with swallowing. Once rabies symptoms appear, the virus has already caused irreversible damage. At this stage, treatment is limited to supportive intensive care aimed at easing discomfort – such as providing fluids, sedation and relief from pain and seizures. Death typically results from progressive neurological deterioration, which ultimately leads to respiratory failure. It's important to note that rabies symptoms can take several weeks, or even months, to appear. During this incubation period, there may be no signs that prompt people to seek medical help. However, this window is crucial as it offers the best chance to administer treatment and prevent the virus from progressing. Another danger lies in how the virus is transmitted. Even animals that don't appear rabid – the classical frothing mouth and aggressive behaviour for instance – can still transmit the virus. Rabies can be transmitted through even superficial breaks in the skin, so minor wounds should not be dismissed or treated less seriously. It's also important to remember that bat wounds can often be felt but not seen. This makes them easy to overlook, should there be no bleeding or clear mark on the skin. The good news is that there are proven and effective ways to protect yourself from rabies – either before travelling to a higher-risk area, or after possible exposure to an infected animal. Modern rabies vaccines are far easier to administer than older versions, which some may recall – often with discomfort. In the past, treatment involved multiple frequent injections (over 20 in all) into the abdomen using a large needle. This was the case for a friend of mine who grew up in Africa and was one day bitten by a dog just hours after it had been attacked by a hyena. The vaccine can now be given as an injection into a muscle, for instance in the shoulder, and a typical preventative course requires three doses. Since the protective effect can wane with time, booster shots may be needed for some individuals to maintain protection. Sustaining a bite from any animal should always be taken seriously. Aside from rabies, animals carry many potentially harmful bacteria in their mouths, which can cause skin and soft tissue infections – or sepsis if they spread to the bloodstream. Read more: First aid and wound treatment is the first port of call, and seeking urgent medical attention for any bites, scratches or licks to exposed skin or mucous membranes sustained abroad. In the UK, this also applies to any injuries sustained from bats. A doctor will evaluate the risk based on the wound, the animal involved, whether the patient has had previous vaccines, and in which country they were bitten, among other things. This will help to guide treatment, which might include vaccines alone or combined with an infusion of immunoglobulin infusions – special antibodies that target the virus. Timing is crucial. The sooner treatment is started, the better the outcome. This is why it is so important to seek medical help immediately. In making the decision whether you should get a vaccine before going on holiday, there are recommendations, but ultimately the choice is individual. Think about what the healthcare is like where you are going and whether you'll be able to get treatment easily if you need it. Vaccines can have side-effects, though these tend to be relatively minor, and the intended benefits vastly exceed the costs. And of course avoid contact with stray animals while on holiday, despite how tempting it may be to pet them. Several rules of thumb can counteract the dangers of rabies: plan your holiday carefully, seek travel advice from your GP, and always treat animal bites and scrapes seriously. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Dan Baumgardt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shocking moment Brits cheer as two men engage in street brawl while woman begs them to stop in latest violent scene involving Brits to spark anger in Tenerife
Two men have been captured having a vicious fight on film as a crowd of Brits cheer them on at the holiday island of Tenerife. Footage from Playa de las Américas, a purpose built holiday resort, and shared to Instagram showed the men throwing hard punches at each other and dozens egged them on, with just a handful of people trying to break up the fight. It's not currently clear why the fight, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning. Though the pair looked evenly matched, swinging their fists and legs at each other for a few seconds, one man, seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts, caught the other's face with his fist which sent him to the ground. As the shirtless man was seen scrambling to safety, a British woman could be heard screaming: 'Stop it! Just stop it!' As the shirtless man was seen running, she was heard screaming: 'Please stop it, this is bullying!' He was apparently tripped up by a bystander, giving his opponent a chance to tackle him to the floor and beat him relentlessly. This gave others in the crowd the idea to join in, and several people were seen swarming the two men. The footage, shared to social media, drew heavy criticism One person, seen in a black hat, T-shirt and shorts, was spotted taking a run up before kicking the shirtless man in the back. Though the pair were initially held back from each other, giving the shirtless man a chance to breath, the video cuts to a few seconds later where he is being brutally punched in the face over and over again before they lock each other's arms up. Finally, the pair were pull away from each other. The footage, shared to social media, drew heavy criticism. One social media user said: 'Instead of calling the police or trying to separate them, they encourage him to fight the other guy. I'm really amazed at the s***ty tourism we really have.' Another wrote: 'Police security is zero, what a shame.' It comes days after two British women were caught on camera brawling in the street at a popular Tenerife nightspot with the footage sparking fury among locals. A shocking video shows the pair violently tussling on the ground in Playa de Las Américas while leering yobs cheer them on. At the start of the clip, one of the women appears to tackle the other, sending her crashing onto the tarmac. The holidaymakers then exchange several punches before finally being pulled apart by bystanders. This latest incident has intensified calls for increased police presence and tighter regulation of nightlife activity. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the altercation, but the video's widespread circulation has already reignited debates about the impact of mass tourism on public order in Tenerife's most visited areas.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Yet ANOTHER Brit drug mule suspect arrested after flying out of Thailand…while worried family in UK reported her missing
A YOUNG mum is being detained in Germany for allegedly smuggling cannabis in her bags on a flight from Thailand - in yet another shocking case. Glamorous Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. 5 5 5 Her arrest comes amid a significant spike in Brits being caught trafficking drugs from Thailand. Sources say Cameron was initially supposed to fly into London Heathrow via Singapore, but changed her flight to Munich at the last minute, serving as a red flag to German authorities. A family friend said Cameron had travelled to Thailand on her own and posted a photo of the ocean on her Facebook account just days before her arrest. Sources say she could face at least four months in a German prison while authorities investigate the origin of the drugs. When Cameron, who has a young son, didn't return home on her Heathrow bound flight as expected, her family filed a missing persons report. But the next day the family was alerted to her whereabouts in Germany. Chief prosecutor Anne Leiding of the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office said: 'We can confirm that we are conducting proceedings in this matter. 'The defendant is still in custody.' The prosecution is refusing to discuss the charges or even give a trial date, citing the ongoing investigation. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British woman who is detained in Germany and are in contact with her family and the local authorities." In 2024, Germany legalised cannabis for recreational use by adults aged 18 and over. But despite a raft of publicity around the law change two essential points were missed. The law does not extend to tourists or non-residents, including Brits. It's also interpreted differently across all of Germany's 16 federal states. And crucially the unauthorised import of cannabis, even for personal use, is strictly illegal and carries a hefty five years in prison. It comes after a British couple claiming to be tourists from Thailand were busted with more than 33kg of cannabis in their suitcases at a Spanish airport. The pair were picked out by suspicious cops at Valencia Airport after displaying a 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now behind bars on drug trafficking charges. The man and woman, aged 33 and 34, were stopped before reaching customs, with officials later discovering vacuum-packed marijuana and no clothes or personal belongings in their luggage. Cops said the pair will not yet be named but were arrested late on May 5 and hauled to court the next day. Their court appearance, which led to their remand in prison, took place behind-closed-doors as is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public. The two British nationals are not expected to find out for several months now whether they will be formally indicted and face trial. 5 5
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
British woman found dead on full moon party island in Thailand
A British woman has been found dead on a beach in Thailand famous for hosting full moon parties. Thai Police said the woman, 54, washed ashore on a beach on Koh Phangan in southern Thailand on Tuesday morning. Officers said there were no signs of assault on her body. Police Lieutenant Pongnaphat Somboon of the Koh Phangan Police Station said: 'An X-ray of the victim's body found a large amount of sand and water in her lungs. 'We believe the cause of death was drowning. We will call the British Embassy to notify her relatives. 'We do not believe there is anything suspicious but CCTV images will be checked to ensure that the death was accidental.' The woman was taken to Koh Phangan hospital for a post-mortem examination. Local media said the woman had been drinking on Monday night and went swimming at a beach near her bungalow. Thai newspaper Maticon reported that the woman had been due to check out of her accommodation on June 11 - one day after the island's full moon party. She was discovered by a local villager Theerapong while he was out walking in the area at 6.30am on Tuesday morning. Officers inspected her room and found her passport and belongings still there, according to the newspaper. Full moon party are all-night beach gatherings that take place every month on the Haad Rin Beach on the night of, before or after every full moon. Thousands of backpackers attend the event.
