The young woman died infected with rabies after rescuing a puppy

Birgitte Kallestad, a 24-year-old woman, was on vacation with her family in the Philippines when she came across a wandering puppy.

The girl rescued the dog and took him to his hotel. While playing with the animal, he bitten her and caused "small scratches", according to the family.

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Back in Norway, Kallestad became ill and went to the hospital several times, but the doctors were not able to diagnose his illness in time.

Finally, Kallestad died last Monday at the hospital where he worked. According to the family, Kallestad would have sterilized the wounds, but a bite infected him with rabies.

"Our dear Birgitte loved animals," said her family in a statement.

"Our fear is that it happens to others who have a warm heart like hers."

A treatable disease

Rabies is treatable, but if not treated in time, it can cause brain and nervous system infection in humans that can be fatal.

This is the first rabies-related death in Norway for more than 200 years, but every year, especially in Asia and Africa, thousands die as a result of this disease.

Norwegian legislation does not stipulate that rabies vaccines are mandatory, but the Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends it for certain types of visits to countries where the disease is prevalent, particularly in the Philippines.

"We are very understanding with the family," said Sir Feruglio, the Institute's medical adviser, during an interview with the BBC.

"It is very important to point out that even if you have been vaccinated before traveling, if you have any contact [con un animal potencialmente infectado] You need to go to a local clinic for a second vaccination, "he says.

"It is an endemic disease in 150 countries and a serious health problem."

What is rabies?

The rabies virus infects domestic and wild animals and spreads people in contact with infected saliva through bites or scratches.

Initial symptoms may include anxiety, headache, and fever.

As the disease progresses, there may be hallucinations and respiratory failure.

The incubation period between the time of infection and the first symptoms is between three and 12 weeks.

If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal, you should wash the wound or place of exposure with soapy water and promptly consult a doctor.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.

Before the symptoms develop, rabies can be treated by a vaccination cycle (it is "extremely effective" when administered immediately after a bite), possibly with an anti-rabies immunoglobulin.

Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-lethargy vaccine, which would prevent many deaths, but many people in need of this treatment do not have it within range of hand.

Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for people in certain high-risk occupations and travelers to areas affected by rabies.

Source: Public Health of England / World Health Organization.