Little is known about rabies exposure among expatriates living in warm
climates. Recommendations on pre-exposure prophylaxis are therefore c
ontroversial. This study assesses the post-exposure management of Swis
s and German expatriates after potential rabies exposures. Dogs were i
nvolved in 69% of all incidents. Less than half of the owned dogs were
vaccinated against rabies. Only 24-30% of post-exposure treatments we
re correct according to WHO recommendations Expatriates with pre-expos
ure vaccination appear to be complacent about post-exposure treatment.
The decision to give pre-exposure vaccination to expatriates in warm
climate countries or to rely on post-exposure rabies vaccination depen
ds on the available qualify of treatment and must be carefully assesse
d prior to a stay abroad Information on rabies risk must be better dis
seminated and vaccination of owned animals improved.