Rabies victim dies in hospital

The UK has fought to keep rabies out of the country

A man who contracted rabies after being bitten by a dog in the Philippines has died in hospital in London.

Hilario Laya, who was born in the Philippines but had lived in Britain for several years, became ill after a trip to visit his family.

A University College Hospital spokeswoman said he died on Monday night.

Mr Laya was admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London on 30 April.

Rabies affects the central nervous system and the brain

Public Health Laboratory Service

Within an hour he was given the rabies vaccine - to boost his immune response to the virus - and moved into isolation.

Mr Laya was then sedated before being transferred to the intensive care unit of University College Hospital.

Relatives and hospital staff were immunised, although the risk of transmission is tiny.

A Public Health Laboratory Service spokesman said: "Rabies affects the central nervous system and the brain.

"It is usually fatal.

"Those who do survive often survive with disabilities."