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A Dogstar member of staff carefully holding a dog's mouth closed in preparation to vaccinate them.

Rabies Is Preventable, Not Curable

In memory of Yvonne Ford

We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Yvonne Ford, a woman from Yorkshire who contracted rabies after being scratched by a stray puppy while visiting Morocco. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends.

Yvonne’s passing is a painful reminder that while rabies has been eliminated in the UK, it remains a deadly threat in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, where we work. Each year, nearly 59,000 people die from rabies, mostly in Asia and Africa. Since the first documented survivor in 2004, fewer than 20 people worldwide have survived once symptoms began — and only after being placed into a medically induced coma. Prevention remains the only reliable protection.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. It spreads through the saliva of infected animals — most often via a bite, but also through scratches, licks on broken skin, or contact with the eyes or mouth.An infographic detailing how rabies is spread and what to do if you think you might be at risk of rabies.

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses on Earth. Once symptoms begin, such as tingling or itching at the bite site, confusion, fear of water, aggression, or paralysis, rabies is fatal.

The only way to survive exposure to the rabies virus is to get medical care quickly, before symptoms appear. Starting a course of rabies vaccines (known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PEP) as soon as possible after a bite or scratch. In some cases, rabies immunoglobulin is also required.

 

How rabies spreads

Dogs are the most common source of rabies in Sri Lanka, but cats, bats, and other mammals can also carry and transmit the virus.

Rabies does not always make animals look visibly sick or aggressive straight away. Infected animals may appear calm, friendly, or completely normal (especially in the early stages).

Unusual behaviour in wildlife can also be a warning sign. For example, if a usually shy animal seems unusually tame or approaches people, it could be a sign of rabies.

Never assume an animal is safe just because it seems friendly or looks healthy.

 

What to do if you’re bitten or scratched

Even if the animal appears healthy, don’t ignore a bite or scratch:

  • Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Disinfect with iodine or alcohol-based antiseptic.
  • Seek urgent medical care.

You may need:

  • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — a course of rabies vaccines
  • Rabies immunoglobulin in some cases

If you are unsure whether you have been exposed to rabies, always seek medical advice. In Sri Lanka, the local government hospital can assess you.

 

Travelling to a country where rabies is present?

Before you travel:

  • Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination, especially if you’ll be working with animals, volunteering, or staying long-term.
  • If you are not pre vaccinated, avoid feeding or petting stray animals, no matter how friendly they seem.
  • Know where the nearest clinic offering PEP is located.
  • Check that your travel insurance includes emergency medical treatment.

Pre-exposure vaccination does not replace PEP, but it simplifies treatment and increases your chances of survival if you are exposed.

 

How Dogstar protects people and animals

At Dogstar, we live with the reality of rabies daily. That’s why prevention is central to everything we do:

  • Dogstar employee holding a dog while another employee administers a vaccine.Every dog and cat we sterilise or feed is vaccinated against rabies. No exceptions.
  • Our staff are pre-vaccinated and undergo regular testing to ensure ongoing protection.
  • We use microchips and digital records to track vaccination history and follow-up.
  • Our Catch–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (CNVR) model creates safe, stable, vaccinated free-roaming dog populations, reducing risk for everyone.

Rabies control is more than a public health issue. It’s a One Health, One Welfare priority, protecting animals, people, and the environment together.

 

Final thoughts

Rabies doesn’t discriminate. It can affect travellers, children, and animal lovers alike. However, it is entirely preventable if the correct information, access to care, and community-based vaccination programmes are provided, which meet the WHO target of 70% coverage.

At Dogstar Foundation, we’re proud to be part of the solution. By vaccinating thousands of animals each year, supporting at-risk communities, and training local veterinary teams, we’re helping to eliminate rabies in Sri Lanka.

If you’d like to support our rabies prevention work, please donate here or share this blog to help raise awareness.