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Rabies is a severe infectious disease that can be transmitted from mammals to humans. You can get rabies if you have been bitten, licked or scratched by an infected animal. Also, if saliva from the infected animal gets on the mucous membrane of your eyes or mouth, for example, transmission of the virus is possible. Especially bats, monkeys, dogs and cats can transmit rabies. In the Netherlands, rabies occurs only in bats. If left untreated, rabies is fatal.
In the Netherlands, rabies is very rare. People who had rabies contracted it abroad. The last case of rabies in the Netherlands was in 2014, in a woman who was bitten by a dog in India.
This is what can you do yourself
Recognising rabies
Rabies starts with flu-like symptoms, such as fever and continues with muscle cramps, convulsions and paralysis. Eventually, swallowing and breathing problems occur and sometimes hydrophobia (fear of water).
Preventing rabies
- In the Netherlands, avoid contact with bats.
- In countries where rabies is present, avoid contact with all mammals.
- Do not touch dead or sick animals.
- Get vaccinated when you travel to a country where rabies is present and if you are at risk of contact with mammals.
If you think you may have been at risk of rabies
Once you develop symptoms, healing is not possible. Therefore, it is very important to act immediately if you are bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies.
- Clean the wound with a brush, water and soap.
- Disinfect the wound with alcohol (70%) or iodine.
- If you have been scratched, licked or bitten by a bat in the Netherlands: contact your GP or the Infectious Diseases Department of the GGD immediately.
- If you have been injured abroad by contact with a mammal: see a doctor immediately. The doctor will assess whether there is a risk of rabies. If you are possibly infected, you should be treated as soon as possible. The doctor will administer a series of 4 vaccinations and, if necessary, anti-rabies immunoglobulin. If anti-rabies immunoglobulin is not available, contact an expert as soon as possible, such as through your travel insurance.
This is what the Public Health Service does
- Are you travelling to a country where rabies is present? Make an appointment at our Travel Advice and Vaccination Office and ask if it is necessary to be vaccinated.
- If there is a chance that you have contracted rabies, we will make a risk assessment and vaccinate if necessary.
- If you started a series of vaccinations abroad, you can complete the series with us.
Contact information
- For advice on rabies please call the General Infectious Diseases team at GGD Amsterdam Public Health Service at: 020 555 5337 We are available from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 13.00, and between 13.30 and 16.30.
- If you have been at risk of rabies in the evening or at the weekend call the General Practice Center
- Have you been bitten abroad and are you still there? Then call your travel insurance. They will advise you where to go abroad.