A BRIT tourist who died of rabies after being bitten by a cat did not get a potentially life-saving jab until it was too late, it is claimed.

Kebab shop worker Omar Zouhri, 58, was nipped while he was on holiday in Morocco two weeks ago.

It is believed the rabid animal also bit a young girl, who received treatment locally and made a full recovery.

Omar, of Aylesbury, Bucks, believed to be a dual British-Moroccan national, was visiting relatives in the town of Mehdya, around 30 miles north of the capital Rabat.

He sought treatment in Morocco and again when he returned to the UK but did not get anti-viral drugs in time, it is claimed.

There is a 99.9 per cent chance of death after rabies symptoms appear.

They can include anxiety, headaches and a fear of water.

It is believed dad-of-two Omar died on November 4.

His widow Chadia, 51, said last night: “You have no idea how tragic this is. It will all come out at the inquest.”

Prof Jimmy Whitworth, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “The typical time interval for symptoms to appear is two to three months, so you do have enough time to seek care.

“But it can be as short as a week — that’s why seeking prompt care and getting vaccination is so important.”

Public Health England told Brits going to exotic destinations to seek rabies vaccinations four weeks before they travel.

If bitten, wound cleaning and the jabs are very effective — and can save an infected person’s life.