Former model Samantha Fox has told how she was bitten by a "crazy cat" while on holiday as she warned of the health dangers of travel.
Fox needed urgent treatment for rabies while on a break in Thailand and hopes her experience will highlight the importance of visiting a doctor before travelling.
Her message on Monday coincided with a campaign to coincide with World Rabies Day on Tuesday to heighten awareness of a disease that has had recent outbreaks in Bali and Peru.
"I travel all over the world as part of my job and often go to exotic locations, however I did not seek medical advice before this trip as I always thought that I was aware of most health issues," Fox said.
"My experience in Thailand has taught me that I was not aware enough, and I now wish I had booked that appointment with my doctor before I went on holiday."
The reality TV star visited the popular tourist resort of Koh Samui in June and had to seek urgent medical attention after being bitten by a stray cat.
"I was out for a meal and there were a number of stray cats around the restaurant, like there are in many countries abroad," she said.
"I fed the cat some scraps of food from my plate, and thought we were getting on well as it sat by my feet.
"As I went to stroke the cat, it bit me so hard the wound went down to the bone."
Fox said her holiday was ruined and her life potentially put at risk after the bite from the seemingly tame cat.
"The owner of the restaurant told me that it was a crazy cat and that I needed to get myself to the hospital or clinic within 24 hours," she said.
The star explained she was immediately given anti-rabies jabs in Thailand, completing the course of five injections back in the UK and did not contract the disease.
The rabies virus causes swelling of the brain with sufferers developing symptoms including a raging fever, blinding headaches and a fear of water.
If a person is not treated immediately after being bitten and develops symptoms, it almost always leads to death.
Following her experience, Fox has joined forces with a health awareness campaign to drive the message home that there is no such thing as risk-free travel.
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