Britain sees rare case of rabies

A patient in London has been diagnosed with rabies after being bitten by a dog during a recent trip to south Asia. The patient - whose age and gender have not been released - is being treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases at University College London Hospitals. The hospital confirmed that it is looking after the patient, who is in a 'serious' condition. 'We would like to stress that there is no risk to the general public or to other patients and visitors to the hospital,' a spokesperson said. Dr Brian McCloskey, director of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) for London, confirmed that there is no risk to the public as there have been no documented cases of human-to-human spread. Instead, the viral infection is transmitted through the saliva from the bite of an infected animal. 'However, to take every possible precaution, family members and healthcare staff who had close contact with the patient since they became unwell - which is when they are infectious - have been assessed and offered vaccination if appropriate,' Dr McCloskey revealed. Professor David Brown, a rabies expert at the HPA, added that anyone who is planning a trip to a country where rabies is common - particularly those in south and south-east Asia - should talk to their doctor or nurse about vaccination and avoid contact with cats, dogs and other animals while overseas.