Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by viruses that affects the central nervous system. As a zoonosis, it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from wild and domestic animals.
Germany has been officially free of terrestrial rabies (rabies in ground-dwelling animals) since 2008. Nevertheless, the introduction of rabies through travelling and in particular through the illegal import of dog puppies from abroad cannot be ruled out. This poses a constant danger to humans and animals. In contrast to terrestrial rabies, rabies in bats is endemic in Germany.
As the disease cannot be cured after an outbreak and is almost always fatal in humans, the focus is on prevention and rapid action after a possible infection.
Contact with a bat
In the event of a bite, scratch, saliva contact with mucous membranes or if contact cannot be ruled out with certainty, the responsible health authority must be informed immediately. At the same time, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) must be started immediately. PEP is a series of subsequent vaccinations that must be carried out promptly after the suspected infection. Depending on the degree of exposure, PEP consists of active immunisation and a single administration of immunoglobulins directly into and around the wound area.
If the bat can be found, it is tested for rabies in a laboratory by the competent veterinary office. If the bat has a negative laboratory result, PEP in humans can be terminated.
Bite by a domestic animal (dog, cat, ferret)
The decisive factor here is whether the animal is known or available so that the vaccination status can be checked. If the animal has been vaccinated, an infection can be ruled out as far as possible. If there is no vaccination or the animal is unknown, comes from an area without rabies-free status or has had contact with an animal from such an area or is not within reach, a suspicion of rabies cannot be ruled out with certainty.
In this case, the responsible health authority must be informed immediately and PEP must be started. If the animal can be tested for rabies, the PEP in humans may be terminated after a negative laboratory result from the animal. However, testing for rabies can only be carried out safely on a dead animal.
Bite by a wild animal
Due to the freedom status that has been in force in Germany since 2008 and the continuous monitoring that is carried out, the risk of rabies infection is very low. Nevertheless, a doctor (m/f/d) should always be consulted in the event of animal bites in order to ensure that the wound is cleaned, tetanus immunisation is checked and antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
Vaccination in humans
Preventive vaccination is recommended for people who have close contact with bats and when travelling to areas where rabies is endemic.
Compulsory vaccination for pets
A valid rabies vaccination is required by law when travelling across borders within the European Union with dogs, cats and ferrets. This measure not only serves the individual immune protection of the animal, but is also an essential prerequisite for securing Germany's status as 'rabies-free' in the long term.
When vaccinating dogs against rabies, it is important to ensure that this is done at the earliest at the age of 12 weeks. For the vaccination to be recognised, the dog must have been identified ("chipped") by means of an injectable transponder prior to vaccination. In addition, the vaccination is only recognised after a waiting period of 21 days.
Mandatory reporting in humans
The suspicion of disease and death in connection with rabies must be reported. Injury to a person by an animal infected, suspected or suspected of being infected with rabies and contact with such an animal or animal carcass must also be reported immediately to the responsible health authority.
Obligation to report animals
Any suspicion of rabies infection in susceptible animal species must be reported immediately to the competent veterinary office. In certain cases, an animal may be placed under official observation (quarantine) to rule out an infection. If there are no symptoms during this time, there is no rabies infection.
If you have any questions, please contact the Börde District Health and Consumer Protection Office.