Vet Talk: Should pet owners in Singapore be worried about rabies?

SINGAPORE – Rabies might seem like a distant threat to Singaporeans, but the numbers tell a concerning story.

According to the World Health Organisation, around 70,000 people die from rabies each year worldwide, with dogs responsible for 99 per cent of these deaths. Children are particularly at risk, making up 40 per cent of victims under 15 years old. 

Most cases occur in Asia and Africa, which account for 95 per cent of global deaths. What makes rabies especially frightening is that once symptoms appear in infected people, the disease is almost always fatal, with death occurring within 10 days.

Prevention strategies

In places where rabies is present, safeguarding humans against it is done through two key strategies: post-exposure treatment for bite victims and vaccination programmes for dogs.

When people are bitten by rabid dogs, post-exposure treatment involves administering rabies antibodies and a series of vaccines to protect against the development of symptoms and ultimately death. 

Vaccinating dogs has proven to be more effective than post-exposure treatment. Research has shown that by vaccinating 70 per cent of dogs in rabies-affected areas, the disease can be eliminated eventually.

This approach not only protects dogs, but also prevents human rabies cases.

Furthermore, dog vaccination is more cost-effective, as post-exposure treatment can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars a person.

Operation Vax Lyssa: Singapore’s border safeguard

In Singapore, dogs do not need rabies shots as the country has been free of the disease since 1953. However, this requires constant work that people cannot take for granted. 

Behind the scenes, the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board, conducts an annual rabies vaccination programme called Operation Vax Lyssa. Since 2015, AVS has collaborated with local vets and animal welfare groups to vaccinate dogs on Pulau Ubin and coastal farms. 

This “immune belt” of vaccinated dogs helps protect the rest of Singapore’s dog population from any potential incursion of the disease from dogs that might roam here.

Import and quarantine measures

The Covid-19 pandemic has made everyone familiar with the concept of quarantine.

Rabies presents a unique challenge, with an incubation period of up to six months. Such a lengthy quarantine period is impractical. 

To overcome this, AVS has put in place strict biosurveillance measures, including import controls. Depending on the country’s rabies risk status, rabies vaccination, blood tests and quarantine are prerequisites for animals travelling from some countries to Singapore. This enables quarantine periods, if required, to be reduced to between 10 and 30 days.

AVS revised the import conditions for dogs and cats on Jan 1, aligning with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health. The revision offers greater flexibility and clarity while maintaining strong biosecurity measures. Key changes include allowing animals from more countries to undergo home quarantine. For more details, go to

go.gov.sg/importing-dogs-and-cats

Alongside these measures, combatting pet smuggling remains a critical component in keeping Singapore rabies-free, as smuggled animals may carry the disease and compromise the country’s biosecurity efforts.

The incursion of just one infected animal is a serious risk to the community. Also, smuggled animals are often transported in cramped and unhygienic conditions in hidden compartments of vehicles, leading to poor welfare outcomes, including death. That is why AVS takes a serious view of animal smuggling and will take action against offenders.

What pet owners can do

Pet owners play an important role in keeping transmittable diseases out and should follow proper procedures when they bring their pets home from overseas.

When travelling overseas, pet owners should also protect their own health. Consult your doctor on whether you require a rabies vaccination. Do not approach wildlife or free-roaming animals. Watch for signs of rabies in animals, such as sudden behaviour changes, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, paralysis starting in the hind legs, and unusual vocalisations.

If bitten, immediately wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

Pet owners can also help keep Singapore rabies-free by obtaining pets only from licensed sources or adopting them from local animal welfare groups. Do not purchase pets from online or unknown sources, even though they may appear to be healthy, as the incubation period for rabies can be long.

For information on rabies and other infectious pet diseases in Singapore, go to

go.gov.sg/aboutrabies

Correction note: An earlier version of the story said the cost of rabies vaccination is $5. This has been corrected.