Rabies Death in Cambodia

Yesterday we were informed that someone died after a rabies exposure. I'm not sure of all the details at this time, but what comes to mind is that we must be sure to protect ourselves when traveling. Please be sure to receive rabies vaccine before traveling if recommended. The immunity that develops is long lasting after a series of 3 doses.
The CDC recommends rabies vaccine for the following groups when traveling to Cambodia:

• Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
• People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
• People who are taking long trips or moving to Cambodia
• Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck. 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/cambodia

 Key Facts about Rabies

• Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories.
• Infection causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mostly in Asia and Africa.
• 40% of people who are bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age.
• Dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths.
• Immediate wound cleansing and immunization within a few hours after contact with a suspect rabid animal can prevent the onset of rabies and death.
• Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-exposure vaccination to prevent the disease – this is estimated to prevent hundreds of thousands of rabies deaths annually.

 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs099/en/