A Dubai Tourist’s Late-Night Rat Bite in Tokyo — and Why Vaccines Still Matter
March 22, 2023
It was supposed to be an ordinary night out in Tokyo. A young woman visiting from Dubai had spent the evening exploring Shinjuku — the glowing heart of the city — before heading back to her hotel around 3 AM. The streets were quiet, and she was wearing sandals, enjoying the last of the cool night air.
Then, in an instant, everything changed.
She felt something sharp on her foot — a quick, stinging pain. When she looked down, she saw a rat scurrying away into the alley. It had bitten her.
Blood trickled from the wound. She called for help and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where doctors cleaned the bite and prescribed antibiotics. Thankfully, she was discharged within the hour. But for a moment, her Tokyo holiday had turned into a horror story straight out of Halloween season.
Tokyo is often seen as one of the cleanest, safest cities in the world — which is why this story spread so quickly online, especially on TikTok. It was shocking precisely because it happened in a place that feels so safe.
Yet, even the world’s best cities deal with urban wildlife. Warm weather, overflowing trash bins, and dense nightlife districts create the perfect storm for rodent activity. Locals say rat sightings have been rising in central areas — not just Tokyo, but Osaka and Fukuoka too.
And as this tourist found out, it only takes one bite to turn a perfect trip into a medical emergency.
Luckily, her quick reaction — and her vaccinations — likely saved her from something worse. Rat bites can lead to infections such as:
Had she delayed seeking treatment, or if her tetanus shot wasn’t up to date, the story might have ended very differently.
Stories like this are exactly why TravelVax Vancouver exists. Before every international trip — even to “safe” destinations like Japan — travelers should review their vaccination status and health precautions.
At TravelVax clinics across British Columbia, nurses and travel health experts help ensure you’re protected against the unexpected. For most travellers, that includes:
Even a short consultation before your flight can mean the difference between an unpleasant surprise and a well-handled situation.
The Tokyo rat incident may sound like an odd one-off — but it’s a reminder that small decisions can prevent big problems.
Here are some quick tips for every traveler:
Book your pre-travel vaccine consult with TravelVax BC today and turn potential nightmares into nothing more than stories for the road.
You can Get Vaccine at Our Clinics:
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