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India has the highest incidence of human rabies in the world. WHO says India has about 30,000 of the 50,000 annual cases reported worldwide. The Indian Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies estimates that about 8,000,000 people receive treatment for dog bites every year. Once symptoms of rabies develop, it is almost invariably fatal. The problem is not just in rural areas; semi feral dogs in cities are a huge part of the problem. Dr Mary Warrell of the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, said [in a news article about a UK citizen who got rabies in Goa]: "If you are going to India at all you should have pre-exposure treatment... There is always a possibility of a delay in treatment, or failure to find the right treatment. If you are just going to a big city then maybe there is not a big risk, but if you are going to the countryside I would recommend it."
IMPORTANT: * if you are bitten scratched or licked on an open wound by a dog, cat, monkey, camel, bat or other mammal you must seek a rabies vaccine * *never play with stray dogs* *never feed stray dogs* *avoid stray dogs* *avoid carrying food around dogs or monkeys! * The problem with dogs and rabies in India, is that dogs are everywhere and dogs can carry the virus if even if no symptoms, if a dog licks a wound or bites you even lightly, you will face a hard decisions as to weather or not to go for the shots. So, it is better to get them done in advance, that why you won't be stuck in the middle of no where worrying. You WILL encounter many dogs...
 The rabies virus is very slow. So the vaccine is administered and your immunity developers before the virus can replicate. If a monkey or bat bites on the head or in a deep wound the virus may be fast and you could die even with post exposure vaccine! In this case someone would need the antiserum first to cut the risk of contacting the virus. If you have the pre exposure though, you won't need this because the vaccine has started work already giving you some immunity. Good thing too because these anti serums are hard to find in India if not impossible.
The vaccine, RABIPUR, like i said before is available everywhere, and is very good quality, includes a complete kit with syringe and instructions. It must be refrigerated. Someone at the pharmacy can administer it right there and then (make sure his hands are clean, he disinfects the site, and administers the entire vaccine) or you can find a clinic who will have the vaccine as well. Small pharmacies will not have the vaccine. Every big city or town will.
If you get bitter, right away dose the wound with iodine or detol, this can kill the virus before it enters your body. Also washing with soap and water, cleaning out the wound completely.
In your case, get the first one when you arrive, then you will need 2 more, about 2weeks and 8 weeks later, it say in the instructions. It doesn't matter that much long as you get 3 in you. If you get bitten then you will only need 3 not 5 and it wont be so crucial to get the vaccine right away if at all.
if you get bitten by a monkey or dog badly how will you get the serum? fly to Delhi? You had the right idea, get the vaccine in advance, it will save you a lot of head ache and stress when you get a scratch from a dog, also cats can carry it. You'll be sitting having a wonderful time somewhere and this dam dog will bites you and then you'll have to change your plans completely and head for then next town. It might even be the owners friends brothers dam dog and he will swear that the dog's vaccinated. But, think now, will you believe him? If you have the vaccine then this will buy you time. Once vaccinated you *might* be 100% immune, but should still get the post-exposure shots. You realize they are the same vaccine don't you. And you won't need the serum if you vaccinated.
" wanted to know how you managed the treatment whilst you were traveling. But I should assume then that you already had the pre-trip vaccines and you didn't need the anti-serum, yes? "
no i hadn't had it before and it's bit scary. It was annoying because you have to find a pharmacies or clinics every 2 weeks you won't find them in small towns the vaccine needs 24hr refrigeration. i am happy now because i am vaccinated.
it's like malaria, seems crazy to worry about little flying dogs...but it could be deadly.
 ***DISCLAIMER*** This information is provided for entertainment purposes only. It is non-medical opinion and should not replace a travel Doctors advice.
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Malaria in India 
