Rabies: Travel health advice
On this page
Travel outside of Canada
Rabies occurs worldwide, except in Antarctica. Your risk of rabies infection depends on:
- where you visit
- your accommodations
- your activities while you're visiting
- the purpose and length of your trip
- your access to medical care or ability to quickly return home
Before you travel
Before you travel, find out if you're travelling to a country or area with widespread rabies or a rabies outbreak.
Rabies risk area map (World Health Organization)
Talk to your health care provider or visit a travel clinic to see if you should be vaccinated for rabies before travelling. We recommend doing this 6 weeks before you travel.
You should consider vaccination if you:
- have a higher risk for rabies exposure
- are travelling to areas where rabies is widespread or there's poor access to medical care
While you're travelling
Avoid contact with all unfamiliar domestic and wild animals. Always closely supervise children around animals, especially:
- dogs
- cats
- wildlife such as monkeys
When travelling, you should not:
- attract or approach wild or stray animals
- pick up, pet, feed or handle unfamiliar animals
- handle bats, including when inside caves or spelunking
Treat all animal bites, scratches or licks. Follow these steps if an animal bites or scratches you while travelling.
- Immediately clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and flush the wound with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
- Immediately seek medical help to assess your risk and discuss treatment options.
In some countries, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available. You may need to return to Canada for treatment. If you receive treatment outside of Canada, make sure to ask for documentation about your treatment.
Learn more about:
Returning from travel
If you think you've been exposed to rabies, see a health care provider as soon as you return to Canada. Tell them about your exposure and any vaccines or treatment you received while travelling.
If you're planning to bring a dog into Canada, know the public health risks.
Learn more about: