Areas of the world where rabies occurs
Due to successful animal vaccination programs, human rabies is uncommon in North America. Rabies occurs in areas throughout Canada. The rabies virus is found almost exclusively in wildlife. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are the most common hosts of rabies. The animals most likely to be affected can vary by region, although bats are becoming a primary source of infection among humans in many areas of Canada.
Rabies is a much bigger problem in other parts of the world than it is in North America, particularly in developing countries where it is most often transmitted to humans through dog bites.1 Areas where rabies is especially common include Africa, Asia, India, Indonesia, and Central and South America. Travellers who will be spending time in rural parts of these areas are encouraged to get vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies occurs in most regions of the world, except Antarctica and some island nations, such as Japan and New Zealand. Some areas of Europe are also rabies-free, including Italy, Spain, and most of Scandinavia.1
| Author: | Douglas Dana Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: November 28, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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