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Government officials confirmed on 23 July 2012, that a man from Taitung county on the southeastern coast of Taiwan is receiving full rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after being bitten by a ferret-badger in his home. At present, it is not known how the animal came to be in the house. Subsequent testing of the ferret-badger proved positive for rabies virus.
This is the first case of human exposure to rabies virus to be reported following the announcement of the recurrence of rabies in the ferret-badger population in Taiwan on 22 July 2013. PEP was unavailable in the local hospital in Taitung county and supplies (including immunoglobulin) had to be obtained from another county.
Advice for Travellers
Travellers should be aware that Taiwan is no longer considered a 'no risk' country for rabies but now a 'low risk'. Animal contact should be avoided and any bites sustained, should be reported for medical assessment. Pre-exposure rabies vaccine should be considered for particular risk groups based on an individual risk assessment.
