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The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has initiated a rabies intervention in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as an increasing number of individuals have been bitten by rabid dogs. Ten human deaths from rabies have been reported.
The targeted response in the Lemera health zone in South Kivu province will provide rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to individuals who have been bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid dog. Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin is not readily available in DRC and most locals cannot afford to pay for PEP. In DRC human rabies deaths are rarely reported.
(Via ReliefWeb - accessed 28/08/13)
Advice for Travellers
DRC is considered a high risk destination for rabies in terrestrial animals. Pre-exposure vaccine is recommended for those at risk. Contact with animals should be avoided and all bites and contact with bats should be reported for assessment.
