Following the distressing death of a British women from rabies, months after being slightly scratched by a puppy in Morocco, has anyone had a preventative rabies shot, and if so, how often does it need to be boosted?  Have there been many cases of rabies in animals in Thailand?

 

Scary stuff.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/18/person-dies-of-rabies-in-yorkshire-after-contact-with-dog-in-morocco

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Following the distressing death of a British women from rabies, months after being slightly scratched by a puppy in Morocco, has anyone had a preventative rabies shot, and if so, how often does it need to be boosted?  Have there been many cases of rabies in animals in Thailand?

 

Scary stuff.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/18/person-dies-of-rabies-in-yorkshire-after-contact-with-dog-in-morocco

 

Norwegian woman 

 

I haven't got it yet, but been thinking about it since this incident. 

 

Nobody linked her symptoms to rabies back in Norway getting sick long time after the contact with the puppy, wich only gave her small scratches due to Norwegian media.

 

A Norwegian woman has died after contracting rabies from a stray puppy in the Philippines.

 

Birgitte Kallestad, 24, was on holiday with friends when they found the puppy on a street, her family said in a statement.

 

The puppy is thought to have infected her when it bit her after they took it back to their resort

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48226676

 

 

 

Presumably, one can just make an appointment at any major hospital in Thailand and get a rabies vaccination?  I

 

If unvaccinated, how quickly can you get treatment after an incident?  With an incubation period of months, it would have to be a fairly serious bite as most people would ignore a small scratch!  

i wouldn't bother with booster, you need injections if you get bitten again anyway

No point getting a preventative vaccine unless there is a risk of exposure. If potentially exposed it's best to start the course of jabs within 10 days but the sooner the better. Clean the wound site thoroughly with soap and water. Course takes a month with 4 intramuscular jabs but you also get other jabs initially Rabies Immune Globulin being one of them. All up I think I was jabbed 7 or 8 times. If you can get the animal that bit you it can be tested for rabies and jabs might not be needed. 

I had the full pre-exposure rabies vaccination back in 2006, and then had two potential exposures in 2008 and 2010. Each time, I received the recommended two post-exposure booster shots.
 

From what I’ve read, and based on WHO and CDC guidelines, as well as advice I’ve had from both a Western and a Thai doctor—the pre-exposure series—especially when followed by proper post-exposure boosters—provides long-term, possibly lifelong, protection. No further boosters are considered necessary unless you're at high occupational risk or immunocompromised.
 

One of the key advantages of being pre-vaccinated is that you don’t need Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) or Equine Rabies Immune Globulin (ERIG) after an exposure. Both can be expensive, hard to find in some areas, and—as blood products—carry some risk.
 

Rabies is genuinely frightening—because even a minor scratch, if ignored, can be fatal. The virus travels along nerves, and since the vaccine takes several days to trigger an immune response, unvaccinated individuals should receive HRIG or ERIG as soon as possible to stay protected.
 

For anyone spending time in Thailand where rabies is endemic, I’d say the pre-exposure vaccine is well worth having—for both safety and peace of mind.

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

i wouldn't bother with booster, you need injections if you get bitten again anyway

It's not a "booster" - the first gives one kind of protection (Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) ) and buys you time to get the 2 other jabs instead of 4 or 5.....the intial jab is sometimes difficult to find so having it already can save your life. You also have to think of the cost which can be incredibly overcharged in Thailand at the main hospitals.

typically the initial jabs last for 1 to 2 years.

9 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Presumably, one can just make an appointment at any major hospital in Thailand and get a rabies vaccination?  I

 

If unvaccinated, how quickly can you get treatment after an incident?  With an incubation period of months, it would have to be a fairly serious bite as most people would ignore a small scratch!  

 

Rabies are a course of jabs - shop around....I got mine free in UK and after being "scratched" by a dog in Pattaya got the follow up for about 420 bht, but I've heard of people paying ten or twenty times this.

The tragic case of this British woman who died after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco is a sobering reminder.
If your skin is BROKEN by any mammal – bite or scratch – you are potentially exposed to rabies.
In Thailand, any doctor will tell you: it’s standard practice to get a course of rabies jabs after an animal bite or scratch. The chances of infection may be low – but the outcome, if untreated, is always fatal. No second chances.
Crucially, animals can carry and transmit rabies before showing any symptoms. So don’t wait around “to see if it looks sick.” By the time it does, it's too late for you.
And don’t assume it’s just stray dogs you need to worry about. In this recent case, it was a puppy. In Thailand, puppies – especially those in markets or on the street – are not vaccinated. They can easily carry and spread rabies. People let their guard down because they’re cute.
Thailand is considered rabies-endemic. Outbreaks are rare, but deaths still occur every year – often because someone didn’t think a small scratch mattered.
So remember: if you're bitten or scratched – even lightly – get medical advice immediately. Rabies is 100% preventable if treated early. And 100% fatal if not.
 

1 hour ago, LosLobo said:

I had the full pre-exposure rabies vaccination back in 2006, and then had two potential exposures in 2008 and 2010. 

 

   Does your leg look like T-bone steak or something ?

34 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 Does your leg look like T-bone steak or something ?

I was bitten by a dog and then later savaged by a kitten. As the kitten  forgot its parachute, it used my back as an emergency landing strip—claws deployed.

That was long before 'They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats', ever became a thing.

58 minutes ago, kwilco said:

 

Rabies are a course of jabs - shop around....I got mine free in UK and after being "scratched" by a dog in Pattaya got the follow up for about 420 bht, but I've heard of people paying ten or twenty times this.

 

   Costs between 3000 and 15 000 Baht for the five anti rabies injections 

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Costs between 3000 and 15 000 Baht for the five anti rabies injections 

where?

Travelling seems to be becoming more unappealing over time

11 hours ago, hotsun said:

Travelling seems to be becoming more unappealing over time

 

A lot of things can go wrong. 

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Well, not KFC is it . 

Hospitals and clinics, where else ?

You've missed th point. The prices for these jabs very tremendously you have given some actual prices and I think we should know which hospitals.

THere problems with Rabies shots is they are subject to various inconsustancies - supplies run low, the imoglobin and be hard to find especially in rural areas and without. a doubt some hospitals engage in price gouging.

I mentioned the price I paid (albeit a long time ago) in Patay of 420 baht - this is the show how cheap it can be for instance see the range below  starting at 353 baht perdose.

 

Bangkok Hospital: Offers a 2-dose package for THB 3,300.

Wellmed Bangkok Clinic: Charges THB 780 per dose.

Thai Travel Clinic: Offers Verorab or Chirorab vaccines for THB 353 per dose (excluding doctor's fee, hospital fee, and registration fee).

 

Sadly hospitlas know they hold all the cards when it comes to rabie and some behave very unscrupulously. In addition the major hospitals may charge additional fees for consultations, administration, or other services.

obviously if you haven't had a pre-exposure course, you are more vulnerable to overcharging as you have more restrictions on time.

Bangkok Hospital group has them. 

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

No point getting a preventative vaccine unless there is a risk of exposure. If potentially exposed it's best to start the course of jabs within 10 days but the sooner the better. Clean the wound site thoroughly with soap and water. Course takes a month with 4 intramuscular jabs but you also get other jabs initially Rabies Immune Globulin being one of them. All up I think I was jabbed 7 or 8 times. If you can get the animal that bit you it can be tested for rabies and jabs might not be needed. 

 

Not quite right — and potentially dangerous advice.  - There is a strong case for getting the preventative rabies vaccine (pre-exposure) if you’re living in or frequently travelling to rabies-endemic countries like Thailand. It won’t stop you needing more jabs if bitten, but it simplifies treatment and buys you critical time.

Once exposed, you do not have 10 days to decide. Rabies can incubate for weeks or months, yes — but once symptoms start, it’s game over. No cure. You should start treatment immediately. As we don’t know when symptoms will start – (see the case of the woman in Morocco)

Remember, you won’t have time to “shop around” for prices or availability. Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG), which is essential for those not previously vaccinated, is expensive and not always available at every hospital — especially in rural or smaller provinces.
Yes, washing the wound thoroughly is crucial but not a cure – just don’t stop there. (it is also a help against other infections of the wound)

And no! you can’t wait for the animal to be tested — not unless it's a domestic pet under observation. Street animals? You’ll never find them again. By the time the animal is showing systems or tested it may well be too late for you
Bottom line: Treat any bite or scratch as urgent. Get to a hospital immediately.
The vaccine is a hassle. Rabies is worse.
 

If you get pre-exposure rabies vaccination (PrEP), you don’t need expensive Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) or Equine Rabies Immune Globulin (ERIG) after a bite— if you can find them — just two follow-up vaccine doses.
 

For comparison, here are current Thai Travel Clinic (Mahidol University, Bangkok) prices for an 80 kg adult:

• HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin):
  6 vials × 3,022 THB = 18,132 THB

• ERIG (Equine Rabies Immune Globulin):
  4 vials × 774 THB = 3,096 THB

These are medicine costs only.

I had the preventative course of vaccinations before I went to work in Myanmar.  This was basically to buy me a little time to get to a hospital if I were bitten/scratched etc.  Luckily, I never had to verify the effectiveness of the vaccine 🙂

29 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Once exposed, you do not have 10 days to decide. Rabies can incubate for weeks or months, yes — but once symptoms start, it’s game over.

As you say rabies can incubate for weeks or months. Correct. You also say once symptoms start you've had it. Also correct. As for timing here's some things I've just looked up.

If the animal that bit you remains healthy during the observation period [10 days], then it doesn't have rabies and you won't need rabies shots.

 

Rabies vaccinations should ideally begin as soon as possible after a dog bite, ideally within 24 hours, but can be administered up to 7 days after exposure.

 

Immunization and treatment for possible rabies are recommended for at least up to 14 days after exposure or a bite.

 

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies is effective even if started within a few days or even a couple of weeks after the exposure. The key is to begin the vaccination series as soon as possible, and even delayed vaccination can still be beneficial due to rabies' long incubation period. 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

The key is to begin the vaccination series as soon as possible, and even delayed vaccination can still be beneficial due to rabies' long incubation period

You said it yourself — would you really risk waiting? You do realise, I hope, that an animal can be infectious with rabies long before showing symptoms, and may not show signs for days or even weeks. That’s the danger.

The whole point of rabies treatment is eliminating any risk, because the stakes aren’t just high — they’re final. No doctor is going to say, “Let’s wait and see.” That’s not how rabies protocols work.

It sounds like you skimmed Google in a panic, but you’re not grasping what you found. There’s a big difference between searching and researching. Google isn’t a source — it’s a tool. And without the skill to use it critically, you’re just reinforcing what you already want to believe.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

The tragic case of this British woman who died after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco is a sobering reminder.
If your skin is BROKEN by any mammal – bite or scratch – you are potentially exposed to rabies.
In Thailand, any doctor will tell you: it’s standard practice to get a course of rabies jabs after an animal bite or scratch. The chances of infection may be low – but the outcome, if untreated, is always fatal. No second chances.
Crucially, animals can carry and transmit rabies before showing any symptoms. So don’t wait around “to see if it looks sick.” By the time it does, it's too late for you.
And don’t assume it’s just stray dogs you need to worry about. In this recent case, it was a puppy. In Thailand, puppies – especially those in markets or on the street – are not vaccinated. They can easily carry and spread rabies. People let their guard down because they’re cute.
Thailand is considered rabies-endemic. Outbreaks are rare, but deaths still occur every year – often because someone didn’t think a small scratch mattered.
So remember: if you're bitten or scratched – even lightly – get medical advice immediately. Rabies is 100% preventable if treated early. And 100% fatal if not.
 

If your skin is BROKEN by any mammal – bite or scratch – you are potentially exposed to rabies.

 

So you can't play with your own pets (not vaccinated) without being vaccinated ?

 

 

40 minutes ago, FlorC said:

If your skin is BROKEN by any mammal – bite or scratch – you are potentially exposed to rabies.

 

So you can't play with your own pets (not vaccinated) without being vaccinated ?

 

 

In short yes!

In Thailand, pet dogs are legally required to be vaccinated against rabies, I suspect by your post, you haven't done this?

 

You would have to be sure that your pets had never been in contact with potentially infected animals.

As I said earlier the most common way to get infected in Thailand is not from stray dogs but cute little puppies (and of course cats) - if you have pts that roam etc you will still be picking them up and cuddling tem which is the easiest way of getting infected..

ALL mammals can transmit rabies to humans - in Thailand dogs and cats are the main sources -  it coulsd also come from monkeys or bats - there has been a bat case  of rabies-like virus recently. 

Go to a government hospital.  Shots will cost around 500 per shot or less.  You'll need four or five based on the protocol they decide to use.  Gamma gobulin shot as well (not the troll).  Whoever wrote that the shots will cost you 15,000 THB must have rabies as their brain is cooked.  A lot of misinformation spewed here.

I work with a lot of strays and take care of the animals at 2 local temples (shots, neutered/spayed) out of my own pocket as well as having 10 dogs, a cat, and a couple of birds of my own and find homes for those I can't take it or rehome at temples. If I can't rehome them I often will provide them with food and medicine when they come around as I work to find them homes.  This includes taking care of sick animals too, so yeah - I get rabies shots.  Funny cause I've been accused of being a - <gasp> - Anti-Vaxxer!  <screams>.
That gives you an idea of what I think about Covid and under-tested mRNA shots.  But rabies vaccines are based on solid vaccine tech and have been around for a long time.  I can remember when you needed to get them in the stomach - <ugh!>.

Rabies is endemic here, so get the shots if you've been bit and get your animals shots as well.  Most villages in Lamphun give the shots for free to pets and village strays annually..  I keep up the date on my rabies boosters ever couple of years unless I get nipped by a dog or cat I'm not familiar with.  The shots are very common here but cheaper at a government clinic.  They can sting.  Plan on taking some Tylenol after the shot.

Go get the shots. Nothing to fret over, but sooner is better than later. 

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Costs between 3000 and 15 000 Baht for the five anti rabies injections 

Costs buttons in local hospitals walk-in and you only need 2/3 injections.

I paid about 250 baht per injection.

 

Given the snottiness in this thread, my stance is simple.

If you want the shots, get the shots.
If you don't want the shots, don't get them.  
Screw it.  Ya'll are adults - it's your life to live how you wish.  I'd recommend them, but it's your life. 

3 hours ago, kwilco said:

the intial jab is sometimes difficult to find

No they are not.  What a load of tosh.  The shots are available in virtually all Thai government hospital.  As i said, rabies in endemic here and the health authorities understand that. 

Just now, connda said:

No they are not.  What a load of tosh.  The shots are available in virtually all Thai government hospital.  As i said, rabies in endemic here and the health authorities understand that. 

I actually got mine on the tree lined road (nickname) hospital going to Lamphun where I see you are near...yes, cheap and easy to get and wise !

23 minutes ago, connda said:

No they are not.  What a load of tosh.  The shots are available in virtually all Thai government hospital.  As i said, rabies in endemic here and the health authorities understand that. 

 

While there haven't been widespread, persistent shortages of rabies vaccines in Thailand recently, there have been instances of localized or temporary shortages linked to specific events or mismanagement. These shortages have sometimes led to the use of older vaccines or impacted post-exposure treatment. Thailand has also seen a rise in rabies cases, with deaths attributed to the disease increasing in certain years. Oftwn when there is a rabies scare it leads to a run on stocks as well. The most recent significant rabies vaccine shortage in Thailand was in 2018. This shortage was linked to a procurement problem, leading to a breakdown in herd immunity due to lower vaccination rates. Following this, the Food and Drug Administration also recalled some vaccine batches due to quality issues. 

Especially finding rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) in Thailand can be difficult, particularly outside of major cities and referral hospitals. While rabies vaccines are widely available in most provincial hospitals, RIG is usually only found in larger hospitals. If you are in Bangkok, you should be able to find it at larger hospitals or specialized travel clinics. However, in more remote areas, including some islands, you may need to travel to the mainland or a major city like Phuket to get it.