Rabies knowledge gaps and risk behaviour in Dutch travellers: An observational cohort study

Background: 

Travellers visiting rabies-endemic countries are at risk of rabies infection. Assessing travellers’ knowledge and risk perception of rabies and risk behaviour during travel can help identify knowledge gaps and improve pre-travel risk education. 

Methods: 

Cohort study in Dutch adult travellers, using two surveys: one before travel to assess knowledge and perception of rabies, and one after return to identify risk behaviour during travel. 

Results: 

The pre-travel and post-travel survey were completed by 301 and 276 participants, respectively. 222 participants had travelled to a high-risk rabies-endemic country. 21.6 % of the participants scored their rabies knowledge as poor. Some participants were unaware cats or bats can transmit rabies (26.6 % and 13.6 %, respectively), or that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required for certain exposures such as skin abrasions without bleeding or licks on damaged skin (35.5 % and 18.9 %, respectively), while 27.9 % of participants did not know PEP needs to be administered within one day. 115 participants (51.8 %) reported any form of contact with any animal during travel. Two participants reported animal exposure, of which one took adequate PEP measures. Risk factors for animal contact abroad were regularly touching cats or dogs at home or abroad, longer travel duration, having pets during childhood and being an animal lover. 

Conclusions: 

Pre-travel rabies risk education currently does not meet travellers’ needs, which is reflected in knowledge gaps and engagement in risk behaviour during travel. During pre-travel health advice, avoiding animal contact abroad should be emphasized, and additional education is required about indications for PEP.