Country status can change. Use this as a planning tool — confirm before travel.
Country rabies risk
This page provides a practical list of rabies-free jurisdictions (for domestic dogs/cats) and commonly encountered high-risk destinations. For an up-to-date per-country assessment, consult official public health sources (linked on the References page).
Important nuance: “Rabies-free” typically refers to canine (dog-mediated) rabies. Some places without dog rabies still have bat-associated lyssaviruses or rare wildlife exposures.
| Country | Risk | Typical vectors / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Oceania |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free (import controls); bat lyssavirus exists |
| Bangladesh Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Brazil Americas |
High risk | Bats/wildlife; dogs in some areas |
| Cambodia Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Canada Americas |
Intermediate / wildlife | Wildlife rabies (bats and terrestrial wildlife in some areas) |
| China Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary; risk varies by province) |
| Fiji Oceania |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| Finland Europe |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| Greece Europe |
Intermediate / wildlife | Low incidence; imported/wildlife risk varies |
| Iceland Europe |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| India Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Indonesia (incl. Bali) Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary); monkeys sometimes bite tourists |
| Ireland Europe |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| Japan Asia |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| Kenya Africa |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Laos Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Mexico Americas |
High risk | Bats/wildlife; dog rabies largely controlled but exposures occur |
| Morocco Africa |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Myanmar Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Nepal Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| New Zealand Oceania |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free (import controls) |
| Peru Americas |
High risk | Bats (notably in some regions); dogs in some areas |
| Philippines Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Singapore Asia |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| South Africa Africa |
High risk | Dogs (primary in some areas); wildlife exposures possible |
| Spain Europe |
Intermediate / wildlife | Dog rabies eliminated on mainland; imported cases possible |
| Sri Lanka Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Sweden Europe |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free |
| Tanzania Africa |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Thailand Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary), cats; occasional other mammals |
| Tunisia Africa |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
| Turkey Europe |
Intermediate / wildlife | Dog rabies risk exists (varies) |
| United Kingdom Europe |
Rabies-free (dog/cat) | Dog/cat rabies-free (England/Scotland/Wales/N. Ireland) |
| United States Americas |
Intermediate / wildlife | Dog rabies eliminated; wildlife rabies (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes) |
| Vietnam Asia |
High risk | Dogs (primary) |
Not listed? Assume Intermediate and verify via official country status tools.
Typical animal reservoirs (by setting)
- Asia & Africa: predominantly dogs (and sometimes cats) in many endemic areas.
- North America: mostly wildlife (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes).
- Latin America: wildlife (including bats) can be important in some regions.
See References for authoritative summaries.
Dog-mediated rabies drives most human rabies globally.