A rabies disease brings in New Zealand its first fatality. However, there is no risk to the public.
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the essentials in brief
- The first rabies death has been reported in New Zealand.
- Rabies diseases are almost unknown in humans and animals in New Zealand.
- However, there is no danger to the public.
New Zealand has reported its first-ever rabies death. The victim contracted the dangerous viral disease abroad. There is no danger to the New Zealand public, the New Zealand Ministry of Health said on Thursday.
“Full infection control measures” were taken in the two hospitals in Whangarei and Auckland where the rabies case had been treated.
It was not only the first rabies death, but also the first case of rabies in New Zealand. “Human-to-human transmission of rabies is extremely rare, almost unknown, so there is no risk to the public.” That’s what the ministry said in a statement. In New Zealand, rabies does not occur in animals or humans, “and this case does not change our rabies-free status”.
Hardly any chance of recovery in non-vaccinated people
However, Health Director Nick Jones warned that cases of rabies are recurrent in some other countries around the world. New Zealanders should therefore be vaccinated against the dangerous viral disease before traveling to risk areas.
Rabies is transmitted through animal bites. For those who are not vaccinated, there is little chance of recovery once the disease has broken out. There are preventive vaccinations, after animal bites are often revaccinated.
