Worries over sudden oak death carried by rhodos

I’ve heard about sudden oak death being carried by rhododendrons. Are any varieties immune or safe from this disease? I’d like to plant some in our garden, but don’t want to introduce a problem.

I’m inclined to take a more relaxed view on this problem. Our fears have been whipped up almost to panic mode on a whole range of diseases and, as a result, we are in danger of losing our good sense and keeping a balanced view.
Sudden oak death disease, caused by Phytophthora ramorum, undoubtedly threatens a lot of woody plants and can certainly be carried by rhododendrons, as well as many other shrubs.
But there are plenty of other, long-established diseases – honey fungus, for example – which also cause root death.
We just have to live with those and to hope for the best. But we also have to be ready to take action if the worst happens and dig out affected plants.
Be careful about sourcing rhododendrons. As with all diseases, it’s important to be ready to act quickly if symptoms appear.
Even then, a dying rhododendron could be suffering from common ailments such as honey fungus, water-logging or drought as well as P. ramorum.