Cambodia has the highest rate of rabies deaths per capita in the world, with an estimated 850 people killed every year by the virus. Although rabies is preventable if treated quickly, there are few treatment centers, and almost none of the country’s roughly four million dogs are vaccinated against the virus. As a result, a Cambodian is as likely to be killed by rabies as a citizen of Western Europe is to be killed in a traffic accident. ..

Anchor Moy wrote:Here's news article that appears to have gone unnoticed in last week's Khmer Times. However, it is a subject that concerns all expats and vistors to Cambodia. This country has the highest per capita rate of deaths by rabies in the world. (I am taking the KTs word for this; a quick search was nonconclusive.)Whatever the real ranking, death by rabies is a real possibility in Cambodia.
Don't want to be a scaremonger, but I often see tourists/backpackers playing with any stray dog that seems to be friendly. This always seems to me to be risky behaviour. I've seen a guy bitten in the face by the cute little puppydog he was playing with on the beach. I think expats generally take more care, but those who have kids should be aware that it is not ok to play with dogs in the street, or any dog that is not your own.

Cambodia has the highest rate of rabies deaths per capita in the world, with an estimated 850 people killed every year by the virus. Although rabies is preventable if treated quickly, there are few treatment centers, and almost none of the country’s roughly four million dogs are vaccinated against the virus. As a result, a Cambodian is as likely to be killed by rabies as a citizen of Western Europe is to be killed in a traffic accident. ..

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/18302/ ... -of-reach/

TheGrinchSR wrote: Also, you are unlikely to contract rabies from any other animal other than a dog or a bat.

ali baba wrote:I thought there was no vaccine for rabies and the best you could get was an extra few days to reach the hospital. Is there a vaccine that works on dogs as the article implies?

Rabies Vaccination

An animal can be considered immunized within 28 days after initial vaccination, when a peak rabies virus antibody titer is reached. An animal is considered currently vaccinated and immunized if the initial vaccination was administered at least 28 days previously or booster vaccinations have been administered in accordance with recommendations. Because a rapid anamnestic response is expected, an animal is considered currently vaccinated immediately after a booster vaccination.
Vaccination schedules

Vaccination of dogs, ferrets, and livestock can be started at no sooner than three months of age. Some cat vaccines can be given as early as two months of age. Regardless of the age of the animal at initial vaccination, a booster vaccination should be administered one year later.

Rabies is a contagious viral disease that can affect many mammals including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and people. It can also infect wildlife such as the skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, bat, and others. Rabies is almost always fatal for an infected animal or person.

Because rabies can infect people, the disease is a public health concern. As a result, most communities have regulations pertaining to the vaccination of pets against rabies. Your community may require that your dog be vaccinated. However, even if your community does not require the vaccine, protecting your dog against rabies is still a good idea.

ali baba wrote:I thought there was no vaccine for rabies and the best you could get was an extra few days to reach the hospital. Is there a vaccine that works on dogs as the article implies?