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Latvian public health authorities 
have reported (in Latvian) a fatal case of rabies in December 2019. Rabies is not usually present in Latvia and investigations indicated that the patient had previously travelled to Asia where she had suffered an animal bite. Testing showed she was infected with a rabies virus of a type circulating in Asia.
Any animal contact in a rabies endemic area poses a potential risk of infection through bites or scratches.
Travellers should be advised that rabies is a very dangerous infectious disease. There is no recognised treatment once symptoms begin and with the exception of a tiny number of cases, all those who develop symptoms of rabies will die.
An effective rabies vaccination is available.
All travellers to rabies endemic areas should be aware of the risk of rabies and advised to avoid contact with animals (both wild and domestic), particularly dogs and cats.
Children are more vulnerable to rabies than adults as they are less likely to comprehend the risk of animal contact, less able to defend themselves from an animal attack and may not report a potential exposure.
All travellers to endemic areas should be aware of immediate wound care and advised to seek medical attention immediately, see Post-Exposure Rabies Advice.
