title: Familial cluster of exposure to a confirmed rabid dog in travelers to Algeria.
abstract: A 10 person-family originating from Algeria traveled in rural Algeria for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives without seeking pre-travel advice, did not received pre-travel rabies immunization, and were exposed to a confirmed rabid dog including 8 within less than 4 days of arrival. Three received suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine although WHO strongly recommends that its production and administration be discontinued and seven received insufficient doses of equine rabies immune globulin abroad. Rabies treatment was completed on returning to France. This reports underline the fact that travelers visiting friends and relatives in dog rabies endemic country are at high risk of rabies exposure and unaware of such a risk in most instances. Rabies risk warning should be reinforced and rabies pre-exposure vaccination should be considered in all individuals traveling to North Africa (and to sub-Saharan Africa) whatever the duration of stay.
authors.affiliation: Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antwi
authors.affiliation: Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parola
authors.affiliation: Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de médecine, UCAD, Dakar-Fann, Senegal.
authors.forename: Doudou
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sow
authors.affiliation: Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sornin
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henrion
authors.affiliation: Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France. Electronic address: philippe.gautret@club-internet.fr.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gautret
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000462:Algeria; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004285:Dogs; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D011818:Rabies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Algeria; Post-exposure prophylaxis; Rabies