"Prevention is everyone's business": this summer, to avoid bringing rabies home with you, here's what you need to do

The rabies virus is deadly: it is responsible for one death every 9 to 10 minutes worldwide. On Wednesday, the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) issued a warning about the risk of rabies being introduced . Indeed, while rabies was eradicated in France around twenty years ago, this is not the case in countries where the disease is endemic, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Maghreb countries.

" As the summer holidays approach, people from the Var region are heading off to these countries. Every year, domestic carnivores are adopted and brought back without their vaccination status being checked ," warns Nathalie Guerson, director of the DDPP, from Dr. Henri Trémaud's veterinary clinic in Bandol. " An animal that has not been properly vaccinated can carry the rabies virus and pose a mortal risk to humans and the animals it comes into contact with. "

In 2024, two dogs euthanized in the Var

Unfortunately, there is no treatment once the first symptoms appear, and the disease is fatal in humans . Furthermore, as soon as a dog is considered "suspect," it is automatically euthanized. Hence the importance of vaccination upstream, because it can no longer be carried out once doubt has crept in or contamination is proven.

Each year, the DDPP monitors 120 dogs in the Var region. " These dogs are under surveillance because they have been bitten or have been in contact with a fellow dog carrying the virus. In 2024, two dogs were euthanized. The first returned illegally from Morocco and was infected , the second was considered a suspected case. When in doubt, don't take any risks. "

A tragic end for the animal and a trauma for the owner. A risk that is therefore best avoided.

It is also an opportunity to remind everyone that the illegal introduction of a domestic carnivore is prohibited and any violation may be brought against the animal's owner.

" Prevention is everyone's business ," reminds Nathalie Guerson, before presenting the instructions to follow during vacations in a foreign country. " You must ensure that the animal you wish to adopt is validly vaccinated, that is to say, that it has received an approved vaccine carried out within a period allowing immunity to have established itself, all verified by an antibody titer carried out before the return by a veterinarian. "

Furthermore, the director of the DDPP emphasizes the importance of " avoiding touching, petting or being bitten by a stray dog ​​or cat ."

Getting your dog vaccinated against rabies is very important

Finally, it is also a matter of " ensuring that your pet that you wish to take on holiday to a country that is not rabies-free is vaccinated, to prevent it from becoming contaminated and in turn becoming a danger to humans and other animals ."

Caution is also recommended, even within French territory. " During population migrations linked to wars, a flow of animals whose status is unknown arrives on our soil ," warns Nathalie Guerson, who also mentions the risk linked to " the trafficking of breeding dogs illegally introduced into our territory ."

As you can see, getting your dog vaccinated against rabies is very important. For him, for you, and for those around you. And veterinarians wouldn't disagree. " From the moment your dog leaves the house and meets people, there's a risk of being bitten. You have to get him vaccinated! " says Dr. Henri Trémaud.

" We've been reporting on this issue for 40 years, and I'm surprised the message still isn't getting through ," says Dr. Claude Paolino. Because the risk is " extremely serious " and " the frequency of suspicions and cases is increasing ," the Var prefecture is making a rabies prevention video available (1).

1. Link to access the prevention clip on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU7f5BM5ttc