The raising and consumption of dog meat has been linked to the transmission of rabies to humans with two reported cases in China, one in Vietnam, and two deaths reported in the PhilippinesAlso, workers processing the meat from a rabid dog can easily become infected with rabies.

Recently a child in the Philippines has died after eating dog at a family party.

Rabies may be transmitted if dog meat is not well cooked, or eaten raw The most familiar form of eating dog meat is in the form of spiced chunks cooked in a hot-pot stew, but this is hardly the only form. Approximately 100 different dishes may be made from a single dog, depending on the local dog-cooking conventions, and not all of them are cooked. Sometimes the brains, tongue, and/or testicles are eaten raw. Sometimes uncooked "cold cuts" are eaten in sandwich wraps

It may be an issue for travellers who unknowingly may eat a stew containing dog meat, it is advised to have well cooked meat at all times.

Rabies vaccine is recommended for all travelers who may be unable to access prompt medical aid and the fast acting vaccine immunoglobulin, which is given within 24-48 hours of the bite or contact.

Infections with rabies occur when the virus is first inoculated into the victim and then absorbed into a susceptible cell where it multiplies. The virus then enters nerve endings. The virus will migrate to the brain and once the virus has then entered the brain, rabies symptoms begin to occur. Rabies is almost universally fatal afterwards. The term rabies refers only to when the person has the fatal condition.

The average incubation time before the development of symptoms is 90 days, although is has occurred is as little as 7-10 days to greater than a year. Rarely only a few days resulted in rabies and 1 case was over 6 years.

Children tend to develop symptoms faster because bites are closer to the brain (the virus have less to travel towards the brain), and often more severe.

Pre-exposure vaccination is giving the rabies vaccine to people who might be exposed to rabies.

The vaccine is given in three doses with a booster at 1 year and every 3- 5 years after. It eliminates the need for post exposure immunoglobulin treatment after a rabid bite, which may not even be available in certain countries.