Is this a rabies risk?

[Arghwhattodo]

I’m on a small island in Thailand and have been petting a friendly stray cat that sleeps on my balcony. I’ve given it water and it seems to hang about the hotel.

It was sitting on my lap this morning and seemed quite content to be near me. However when I was petting it, it became quite bitey and started biting quite hard. One bite broke my skin very slightly. I have washed my arms and you can barely seen anything now. It wasn’t distressed and this almost seemed to be a play thing as it still wanted to be near me. It’s still very happy and chilled, sleeping on my balcony and again seems very content still.

I was told by someone who works on the island that it’s a rabies free island and there have been no reported cases in 15 years. I haven’t been vaccinated for rabies and am leaving the island today / Thailand tomorrow… Should I try and get the post rabies vaccination programme? I have contacted a clinic and can get it today but not sure if that’s overkill.

Reading online, people have suggested monitoring the animal for ten days but im
leaving shortly. I’ve “known” it for two days and it seems fine!

Hi there, I can't give you any medical advice other than the fact that an animal bite can transmit more than rabies.

If their island has been rabies free for 15 years, well that's great... More than likely you don't need to worry, however, the fact that you received a bite from an animal, even though you washed it, the fact that it broke the skin, you might just want to be on the safe side. Just because rabies has no cure.

I'd be very vague about the animal though, I wouldn't give too much information about its description or where exactly this was because I'd be worried that public health might try to find the cat and destroy it, and who knows how many others they would have to destroy before they found that particular one. She's not vicious, it's just a thing that happened. You might want to protect yourself, though.

Yes 100%, I adore cats! Thank you btw 🌺

im actually going to get the vaccine in Bangkok if I get it so I absolutely wouldn’t get it done on the island or make any reference to location.

If as you say you can get the vaccination today, then I would get it today. It may be unlikely, but rabies isn’t a risk you can afford to take.
(I’m not a medic but I have read a bit about it)

I'd get it done ASAP. Stop worrying about the cat. No-one is going to bother tracking down a stray.

Animals that do have rabies can sometimes be very friendly and docile before sudden aggression and biting. It would probably be best to get the vaccine as soon as possible. It could be nothing, but personally I wouldn’t want to risk it with rabies.

Yes get the jab asap and also a tetanus shot too
You also may need some antibiotics

In most countries the department of agriculture who deal with import/ export of animals would be the most up to date on the rabies status of the country and hold data for the locations of cases. From what I can gather it's called the Department of Livestock Development in Thailand.

Whatever the country's centre for zoonotic disease is (this one? https://vs.mahidol.ac.th/mozwe/en/) is also worth contacting.

Another thing I heard is that you should keep washing the wound for quite a while - eg 15 minutes, then get the vaccine asap

Well given rabies kills 100% of the time - yes I would get it regardless of what people on the Island are telling you about the risk. Even the smallest risk is too much.

And antibiotics and a tetanus jab to be safe.

I’m in Thailand atm too and if this was me I would 100% be getting the vaccine! Whilst the locals know they also can’t predict,I’d rather be over cautious than dead!

Thanks all!! Ok I’ve booked into a clinic in Bangkok tonight to get my first dose (day 0) and get their advice. Then will ring 111 to get the next few, as I’m flying back in 24 hours.

Good. Rabies has a 100% fatality rate once you’re symptomatic so there’s not ‘wait and see’.