Rabies
Rabies is a deadly, but vaccine-preventable, viral disease. The virus is transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, usually after a bite. In developing countries dogs are the main carriers, however monkeys, cats, bats and most other mammals can also transmit rabies.
While most human cases are the result of bites, a scratch or even a lick from an animal on broken skin should be considered a potential exposure requiring urgent medical assessment.
Based on conservative WHO estimates, 55,000 human rabies deaths occur worldwide each year with the majority of victims being children. Children are at higher risk of exposure due to their lack of awareness of the dangers that animals may present, while their smaller stature makes them more prone to bites in vulnerable places around the face and head.
Although rare in travellers, rabies does occur in many countries around the world, with the highest risk in South Asian countries, notably India.