news desk Lord, save her
New Zealand health officials have confirmed that the country has its first case of rabies. The overseas traveler died of the disease last week, but this person posed no health risk to any member of the public while in New Zealand.
The disease was transmitted abroad and the person was diagnosed in New Zealand.
The person was notified that he had rabies when first admitted to hospital in early March, so he was managed with full infection control measures while at Auckland City Hospital and Whangarei Hospital where they were first diagnosed.
Laboratory results confirmed this to be the first case of rabies in New Zealand. New Zealand has no rabies in animals or humans, and this case does not change our rabies-free status.
“Travellers should be aware, however, that there are thousands of reported cases of rabies in humans worldwide each year, including in a number of countries in our part of the world,” said Director of Public Health Dr Nick Jones.
Rabies vaccination is recommended for New Zealand citizens traveling to countries where rabies is common, especially if they travel to rural areas, are likely to have contact with animals or if they stay for longer than a month.
All travelers should avoid contact with animals in rabies-affected countries, especially dogs.
If you have been bitten by a rabid animal, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
