Public Health England
The dog lived in the town of Le Chambon Feugerolles, in the Rhne-Alpes region of France. On 16 May 2015 it became aggressive, biting several people and another dog, and was taken by its owners to a veterinarian who placed it in quarantine. The dog died the next day.
Investigations have determined that the dog, a 7 month old white bull terrier, had been illegally taken to Algeria for 3 weeks, and developed rabies after returning to France. The rabies virus was shown to be type Africa 1, confirming Algeria as the source of its infection.
Public health officials are currently in the process of identifying and risk assessing all those who may have had contact with the dog between 7 and 16 May 2015, and also to determine if any other animals were in contact or are affected. Public Health Englands risk assessment will be updated as further information becomes available.
Anyone who has been bitten, licked or scratched by a dog in this area of France since 7 May 2015 is urged to seek medical advice.
Dr Kevin Brown, Deputy Director of the Virus Reference Department for PHE said:
Those travelling to this area of France should avoid contact with wild and domestic animals. If they are licked, scratched or bitten by a wild or domestic animal they should wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek urgent medical advice either in France, or on their return from their GP or NHS 111.
The current Public Health England rabies risk assessment for France is:
- Le Chambon Feugerolles, Loire, Rhone-Alpes low risk
- rest of France no risk