Geographic Distribution

• Rabies is present in more than 150 countries
• Traveler exposure to animals is frequently reported in popular destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia and Morocco, which are endemic to rabies 
• Rabies causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths each year and is notoriously under-reported in high-risk countries

• European tourism to developing countries, where rabies is still a risk, is on the rise
• The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated new approaches to travel, with a rising interest in low-tourist-density destinations and wild, nature-based experiences, where rabies is a risk

The risk of rabies exposure for your patients may be higher than expected.

• When traveling, individuals may make spontaneous choices that put them at an unanticipated risk of rabies
  • Before individuals embark on travel, actual travel-related risks are more likely to be underestimated than overestimated
  • In a survey among travellers, misalignment of travel plan and actual events was the highest for stays in rural zones or with local people (66% of travellers), close contact with animals (33%) and bicycle riding (21%)
    
     

Rabies in Sweden

• Rabies does not exist in Sweden, but the disease can be transmitted to Sweden via infected wild and domestic animals from other countries.  Another risk factor is the immigration of raccoon dogs, which are one of the largest spreaders of rabies in Europe. A project started a couple of years ago to prevent raccoon dogs to establish in Sweden.
• Illegal importation of pet animals (dogs, cats) from countries with endemic terrestrial rabies still poses a risk.