While wanting to be reassuring, New Zealand revealed its very first case of rabies on Thursday. Authorities said the viral illness killed a patient who caught it overseas, but there was no risk to the public. Doctors applied “all infection control measures” at the two hospitals where the patient was treated, first in Whangarei (north) and then in nearby Auckland, the health ministry said .
“New Zealand does not have rabies in its animal or human populations, and this case does not affect our status as a rabies-free country,” the Department of Health said. “Travellers should be aware, however, that thousands of human cases of rabies are reported each year worldwide, including in a number of countries in our region,” said Director of Public Health Nick Jones. . He urged people to get vaccinated before traveling to countries where rabies is common.
