before going, the CDC says you should. What say all of you. It is damn expensive for the series of shots.

Generally speaking, you are at risk for rabies when playing or in contact with native dogs. In two trips to Namibia, this has not been an issue. I have completed most of the shots recommended for travel in southern Africa and to places more prone to diseases than Namibia and have NOT taken rabies. Kudude

waste of time, money and potentially dangerous( reaction to vaccine). unless you intend to handle live wild animals where you might be bitten, don't bother. as a physician who has had a few dealings with the CDC, i can tell you they are like a lot of official government organizations- they love to cover their ass.

Get a polio booster, forget the rabies.........

I'm not....My doctor said it was not necessary.

I haven't. Whether you do or don't, I wouldn't go around playing with kudu brains over there.

I've never heard of anyone getting the rabies vaccine to go hunting in Afica. Sounds like some overzealous, bureaucratic recommendation that is totally CYA.
Bill

My wife and I discussed the matter of rabies vaccinations at our International Travel Clinic before travelling to Namibia last year. It was our conclusion that because we would not be handling animals, the vaccinations were not necessary. Also, the vaccinations are quite expensive, which ruled out the "just in case" approach.

Additionally, if by some bizarre circumstance one was bitted by an animal, rabies acts slow enough that there is enough time to get "morning after" innoculations, either in Windhoek or JoBurg. If you are bitten at the end of your trip, you have enough time to get home for treatment. The downside is, if you procrastinate until symptoms appear, you are a dead man, as rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear.

Our medical advisor told us that the toughest test would be if we woke up in the morning with a bat in the tent. Bats are notorious carriers of rabies, and a bat bite can be so small that it might not be noticed!

Our advisor at the Clinic concurred with our decision to skip the rabies vaccinations.

I took a printed copy of the CDC recommendations to my doctor. He suggested not taking the series. I followed his suggestion.

Larry

Not a chance. We've got a fair amount of rabid skunks and raccoons around here. I don't take one for our area in NE Texas either but use my head when handling animals, alive or dead.

You likely have a greater chance of rabies exposure in most parts of the U.S. than in Namibia. In fact, unless you travel in the Northeastern part of the country, vaccinations of any sort (beyond those you should already have as a resident of Earth) are not indicated.

Like others have said in this thread. Not necessary. Before my Namibia trip last year I seriously considered getting the shots and then consulted both my personal MD and the local travel clinic. Advice was hands down, "Don't bother."

Don't handle dead or alive jackels!

465H&H

Kudu, and Eland in the area north of Windhoek are big carriers (and dying carriers of rabies).

It wouldn't hurt, I am in the Navy and get lots of shots all the time. If you have time to take them and recover I would. If not then ?????

There is no need to fear rabies in Namibia as long as you don't get bitten by a dog, jackal, mongoose or any other wild animal for that matter.
As long as you don't let a fresh open wound on your person get into contact with warm oozing blood or saliva, especially from the head, your safe.
There are no carriers of rabies, something gets infected and dies as a result if not treated.
Like someone said, if you show symptoms, your dead, there is no cure.
This may be fatal within a few hours or several months.
a Few years ago I found a rabid steer next to the road on a ranch and told the owner about it.
He removed the head and took it to the vet and left the animal there.
That afternoon when I drove by again, his personel were busy taking it apart for own use.
When I later asked him he said the vet confirmed it as rabies.
They are all still alive today and that happens every now and again.

Helgaard van der Vyver ( OMUHONA )
Okanduka Seibe
Namibia
www.huntingnamibia.de

Helgaard,
Not being a doctor I could be mistaken, but I believe there ARE what are known as "asymptomatic carriers" of rabies which can transmit but are not infect with the disease. In the U.S. it's mostly raccoons and skunks, in Africa I think jackals are frequently cited along with bats.