A British man dies from a cat bite in Morocco against rabies

A Briton died of rabies in Morocco after being bitten by a cat. The Health Service of Public Health England UK today announced and specifically invited travelers to Asia and Africa to comply with vaccination recommendations. As reported by the Press Association Press Association, the concerned man was bitten several weeks ago, but was not treated quickly enough.

"In this case, vaccination was not fast enough," said Jimmy Whitworth, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In humans, the symptoms of rabies were "two to three months" after exposure to the virus. "It can only take a week, so it's important to see the doctor right away and get vaccinated," he said.

Rabies attacks the nervous system, especially the brain, causing complete paralysis and ultimately death, said Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham. "There are some very effective vaccines, but they have to be used before the symptoms appear," he said.