Travel warnings issued for multiple countries after Americans return home with rabies

Health officials have issued travel warnings for two countries after several Americans returned home carrying rabies.

Last week, the CDC issued level 1 travel warnings for Haiti and India, meaning Americans traveling to these areas should 'practice usual precautions' while abroad, such as staying up to date with vaccines, handwashing and avoiding contact with stray animals. 

The advisories were enacted after Haiti reported increased cases among animals of rabies, a virus usually spread to humans through animal bites that is almost always fatal once symptoms such as confusion, agitation, restlessness and excessive salivation begin.

In both Haiti and India, one case each of rabies was confirmed in a person who traveled from the affected nation to the US. No further information was released about either case. 

The CDC also reported that several major cities in India have seen circulation of a counterfeit version of the human rabies vaccine ABHAYRAB, which could be ineffective and contain potentially harmful ingredients. 

ABHAYRAB vaccine is critical for preventing rabies in humans and is 100 percent effective if given before symptoms begin. Imovax Rabies and RabAvert are used in humans in the US. 

Travelers to both Haiti and India have been urged to avoid all contact with dogs, cats and wild mammals, especially those who roam in the streets. Travelers should also receive a rabies vaccine before leaving the US if think they may come into contact with wildlife. 

Americans who are bitten, scratched or have a fresh wound that is licked by dogs, cats or other wildlife in Haiti or India should immediately wash it with soap and seek medical attention, even if they have had a rabies vaccine before travel.  

Erica Kahn (pictured here_, who was visiting the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona, was photographing the night sky when she saw bats flying in the area. One of them flew toward her face and, when she screamed, the bat flew into her mouth

Rabies is  deadly virus that is transmitted through saliva from infected animals like dogs, racoons, bats, coyotes and foxes. Most people get it from an animal bite or scratch. 

The disease moves along the spinal cord and travels to the brain, causing inflammation.

Early symptoms in humans include fever, headache, agitation, confusion and vomiting. 

In later stages, patients suffer restlessness, hallucinations, seizures and twitching, excessive salivation, and a fear of water or air blowing in their face. 

The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms start. 

Only 20 cases of humans surviving rabies have been recorded in medical literature worldwide. 

Yvonne Ford (pictured here), 59, from the UK, died of rabies earlier this year after being scratched by a stray puppy in Morocco

The above map shows which animals are most likely to be infected with rabies in certain areas

Around 5,000 animal cases of rabies are reported each year, and about 60,000 Americans seek care for potential exposure. 

Fewer than 10 Americans die from rabies every year, according to the CDC. 

India, however, experiences 18,000 to 20,000 human rabies deaths per year, the majority of which are in children under age 15. India accounts for over one-third of the world's rabies deaths. 

In Haiti, about 100 to 130 people die of rabies every year, though experts suggest the true number is higher due to underreporting.  

The only way to cure or prevent rabies is with a series of four to five vaccines, which must be given as soon as possible after someone believes or confirms to have been exposed. 

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