Europe-wide hunt on for rabid dog's victims

The EU was urgently looking for eight people who came in contact with a rabid dog in south-western France last month to ensure they have not contracted the dangerous virus.

“Some people are at risk of dying and we should put all our efforts into saving their lives,” Health Commissioner David Byrne said in Brussels.

A Europe-wide alert was issued two weeks ago by the EU’s early warning system for infectious diseases.

The eight include a boy aged between eight and 10 who played with the dog, a Dutch tourist from Utrecht, a French couple of North African origin and their two children and a Spanish woman and her young daughter.

The commission said 300 people have contacted French authorities about the case and 47 of these are receiving anti-rabies treatment.

The rabid dog’s owner frequently walked the animal in Bordeaux in August. The dog was imported illegally in July.