Rabies in Timor-Leste

The World Health Organization has reported the first case of rabies in Timor-Leste. A young woman in Pasabe Sub-Region, Oecusse was bitten by a dog in December 2023 and died of rabies on 22 March 2024.

Rabies is now a high risk in Timor-Leste.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease of the central nervous system caused by the rabies virus. People are infected when saliva from an infected mammal comes into direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), usually from a bite, scratch, or lick.

Rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms develop. Only a small number of people with the disease are known to have survived.

Advice to Travellers

All travellers should be:

• aware of the risk of rabies, particularly if travelling to rabies endemic countries
• advised to avoid contact with animals (both wild and domestic), particularly dogs and cats
• know how to prevent against animal bites, including bat bites

Children are more vulnerable to rabies than adults, as they are less likely to understand the risk of interacting with animals, less able to defend themselves from an animal attack and may not report a potential exposure.

All travellers to endemic areas should be aware to carry out immediate wound care and seek medical attention immediately following potential exposure.

Effective rabies vaccines are available and prevent clinical rabies from developing. They can be used pre- and post-exposure.

See the TRAVAX Rabies and Rabies post-exposure guidance pages for further information.