Thread: Rabies Infection Among Pet Animals in Thailand on the Increase

BANGKOK – Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of Diseases Control Department for Thailand has told Thai Media that two people died of rabies and a total of 251 animals were found to be infected with rabies in the past two months.


According to Dr.Suwanchai the rabies situation in Thailand remains a matter of concern, citing a report of the Livestocks Development Department, showing 252 animals – 90 percent of them dogs – were infected with the disease in the past two months of year, representing 1.5 times higher than the statistics of the same period last year.


Roi Et, Surin, Yasothon, Kalasin and Amnat Charoen have the highest incidence of rabies infection in animals.


Dr Suwanchai attributed rabies infection among pet animals and men to lack of rabies vaccination of pet dogs and cats; release of the pet animals out of the houses of their owners and public unawareness of prevention against infection.


As a preventive measure, he said anyone scratched or bitten by a cat or a dog should quickly clean the wounds with soap and clean water and then applied medication on the wounds before seeing the doctor. Then the dog or cat must be caged for at least ten days to see whether it is infected or not.


The Diseases Control Department has instructed its offices in 12 zones to educate the people about how to protect themselves against rabies and to locate those infected with the disease to get vaccinated.


Rabies Infection Among Pet Animals in Thailand on the Increase | Chiang Rai Times English Language Newspaper

DDC accelerates measures to eliminate rabies

NONTHABURI, 27 February 2018 (NNT) – The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has stepped up measures to contain an outbreak of rabies as the number of infected animals has risen by 1.5 times over last year during the past few months.

The DDC announced that the rabies situation in Thailand has raised concerns as the agency has continued to regularly detect animals suspected to have been infected with rabies virus.

According to the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), most infections have been found in Roi-et, Surin, Yasothorn, Kalasin, and Amnat Charoen, with causes ranging from lack of vaccinations among domestic pet animals, as well as those which may have roamed freely and been bitten by an infected animal, and lack of awareness on infection controls.

The DDC has called upon the general public to have their pets vaccinated on yearly basis, and to immediately clean their wounds and seek medical treatments after they have been bitten or scratched by any infected dog or cat, and to confine the infected dog or cat for 10 days in order to check for symptoms.

All disease control units were instructed to communicate more with the public, and to find any specific person who may have been exposed to the disease so that he or she will be given vaccination. The general public are advised to help watch out for suspicious-looking animals with dangerous behaviors and report to officials of the Livestock Department. For more information, please call 1422.

National News Bureau Of Thailand | DDC accelerates measures to eliminate rabies

On March 2, the veterinary clinic. Pattanapong Sophon Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock The rabies outbreak has been reported in 13 provinces, including Surin, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nan Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Roi Et, Songkhla, Rayong, Tak and Sisaket, with three deaths. The rabies epidemic is being investigated in 42 other provinces.

They were offering free rabies vaccinations on our housing estate the other day so we had our 5 dogs done.

They don't inoculate the feral animals, so why bother at all?

now there is the reason for the spread,

Chaiyaphum stages anti-rabies campaign

CHAIYAPHUM, 4th March 2018 (NNT) - Chaiyaphum Provincial Livestock Office has launched a campaign to eliminate rabies and control the number of strays in response to the royal wish of HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana.

Vice Governor Mongkol Otthon officiated at the campaign at the meeting hall of Muang Chaiyaphum District Office. He relayed a message from the governor, calling on local administrative bodies and members of the general public to jointly make Chaiyaphum a rabies-zero province.

The event offered veterinarian services, including free cat and dog sterilization, rabies vaccination and a pet care workshop. Similar activities will also be held in all districts to control the number of strays and promote pet welfare.

There had been no cases of rabies for more than a decade in Chaiyaphum. It was not until 2017 that the northeastern province saw the return of the deadly viral disease as some people failed to have their pets vaccinated.

Chaiyaphum Provincial Livestock Office ha now set up mobile veterinary units to neuter pets and vaccinate them against rabies. The office says concerted efforts between the public sector and the people could help wipe the virus out of the province within two years.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en...C6103040010030

13 ‘rabies red zones’ named
Virus kills 3 people, infects 247 animals in two months

Bangkok Post
6 Mar 2018
POST REPORTERS JINAKUL



Thirteen provinces have been declared “rabies red zones” after the deadly disease recently spread to several parts of the country, resulting in three deaths over the past two months.

Cheerasak Pipatpongsopon, deputy director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, yesterday said the 13 provinces were Surin, Chon Buri, Sumut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nan, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathaini, Chiang Rai, Rot Et, Songkhla, Rayong, Tak and Sri Sa Ket.
The department also announced rabies-prone areas in 42 other provinces.

According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC), three people have died from rabies while 247 domestic animals have been infected with the deadly virus since January.

The number of rabid animals has increased 1.5 times compared to last year.

Dogs were found to have contracted rabies most frequently while the disease was also found in cats and cows.

Dr Cheerasak said major causes of the rabies widespread were recklessness of pet owners who failed to have their pets vaccinated against the deadly virus. They also let their pets roam free which increased the risk that they would be bitten by rabid animals.

He said the pubic also lacked awareness of the dangers of the disease and often do not get vaccinated after being bitten or scratched by animals.

Dr Cheerasak urged pet owners to bring their pets in for a rabies vaccine as quickly as possible to help prevent the disease.

The department also aims to declare rabies-free areas in 20 provinces, he said.

Monchanok Khongpan, chief of the Mae Sot District Livestock Office in Tak, said the office has urged residents who live in a 5km radius of Mae Sot Hospital to take pets for a vaccine at the office and Mae Sot District Office.

The announcement came after it was reported to the office that a dog died of rabies on the hospital premises. The office also tried to catch around 10 stray dogs near the hospital to test whether they are infected.

The DDC yesterday also instructed its 12 Disease Control Offices and the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention to make the public more aware of the dangers of rabies.

Rabies in pets can been noticed from three symptoms which last about 10 days in total.

Animals will be irritable, have dilated pupils and seclude themselves from their owners during the first two to three days.

They then become aggressive and drool before reaching the final stage of paralysis and death.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1422947/

Originally Posted by misskit

efforts between the public sector and the people could help wipe the virus out of the province within two years.

Thais are dreamers.

Originally Posted by Wilsonandson

Dr Cheerasak said major causes of the rabies widespread were recklessness of pet owners who failed to have their pets vaccinated against the deadly virus. They also let their pets roam free which increased the risk that they would be bitten by rabid animals

So they're pinning the spread on pet owners

Many provinces step up rabies prevention amid outbreak

SAMUT PRAKAN, 7 March 2018 (NNT) – Provinces around the country are alarmed by the current spread of rabies and are cooperating with relevant agencies to implement preventive measures and promote an understanding of the disease.

After being declared one of the 13 red zones for rabies, Samut Prakan province is urgently giving vaccinations to stray dogs and cats within the vicinity of each spot where rabies was discovered. Animals with suspicious symptoms are being quarantined for monitoring while people who have come into contact with them are being vaccinated as a precaution. The province is also campaigning for public awareness of ways to protect themselves and their pets from infection and is planning to construct more shelters for stray dogs and cats to control their population.

In Lamphun, related agencies have met to discuss operations to keep the province free of rabies in line with the royal intention of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn to completely eliminate rabies from the Thai society.

In Ang Thong, provincial livestock development officials and veterinarians together held a rabies vaccination campaign in various communities, with an aim of maintaining the province’s status as a rabies-free zone. Thanks to the cooperation of all sectors, the province has found no rabies cases, either in humans or animals, for the past five years.

In the meantime, the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 6 in Chon Buri is preparing to educate foreign workers in the province about rabies and preventive measures. The office has also called on local residents to take care of their pets by having them vaccinated against rabies.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Many provinces step up rabies prevention amid outbreak

Six cases of human rabies in Bangkok since January 1

| March 06, 2018 | By Thai PBS

Six cases of human-infected rabies have been reported in Bangkok since the beginning of this year, but there is no fatality, according to the Ministry of Public Health and the Livestock Department.

Of the six cases, two were reported in Bang Khen district, two in Bang Sue district and one each in Chatuchak and Don Muang districts.

The Livestock Department earlier declared 13 provinces “red zone” for rabies after three deaths from rabies.

In Bangkok, Mrs Benjawan Sitchanasai, head of the veterinary health office of the City Hall, said that rabies epidemic remains stable, with most of the animals being infected being stray dogs and semi-stray dogs.

She said that many owners of pet dogs didn’t understand that vaccinated dogs were not immune to rabies and they need to be inoculated to prevent infection.

Pointing out that officials concerned have been vigilant in looking for rabid dogs, Mrs Benjawan assured that Bangkok is not at risk of threat from rabies and that Bangkokians would be updated about rabies situation on regular basis.

The situation of rabies in Bangkok since 2013 is as follows: 31 rabid dogs in 2013; 47 rabid dogs in 2014; 22 rabid dogs in 2015; 30 rabid dogs in 2016 and 47 rabid dogs in 2017.

Six cases of human rabies in Bangkok since January 1 - Thai PBS English News

BMA stages anti-rabies campaign

BANGKOK, 9th March 2018 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) public health centers and district offices are jointly running a campaign to prevent and eliminate rabies across the capital city.

The BMA is dispatching mobile units to different communities to offer free rabies vaccinations. In Laksi District, a large number of people have formed long lines, waiting to get their pets inoculated against the deadly virus.

The pet owners have commended the BMA for the service, which they say has helped save time and money. The mobile vaccination service takes place twice yearly in March and September. The first round of vaccinations will run until 16th March.

The Department of Livestock Development reported today that there had been two confirmed human deaths resulting from rabies since early this year, and the number of confirmed infections in animals had risen 1.5 times to 251 cases year-on-year.

Dogs are the number one carriers of rabies, followed by cats and cattle. An increased incidence of infection has been found in bovine animals. Yearly vaccinations, and sterilization are the must-dos to solve the problems of rabies and stray animals.

People bitten by dogs or cats are strongly advised to clean and attend to their wounds immediately, then see a doctor without delay. The animal should be quarantined for 10 days for symptoms of rabies.

Those seeking further information on rabies or needing help can call the Department of Disease Control’ hotline, 1422 or the Office of Veterinary Public Health’s number, 0-2245-3311.

National News Bureau Of Thailand | BMA stages anti-rabies campaign

Social security clients can insure themselves against dog bites

BANGKOK, 8th March 2018 (NNT) - The Social Security Office (SSO) has affirmed that its clients can make insurance claims for dog bite treatments, following reports of rabies outbreaks in several provinces.

Regarding the Disease Control Department's efforts to monitor the rabies outbreak in several provinces, SSO Secretary-General Dr. Suradet Waleeittikul disclosed that his office is closely following the situation and coordinating with partner hospitals to prepare for patients claiming social security for dog bite injuries.

Dr Suradet explained that citizens are entitled to free dog bite and rabies treatments at hospitals to which their social security is attached. People who cannot be treated at their designated hospital will have to pay their medical bills upfront. Then the patients can claim the expenses by submitting receipts and medical certificates to any local SSO branch.

People going to public hospitals can claim reimbursement of the full amount paid, while those going to private hospitals can claim a maximum of 2,000 baht per bill. Additional claims are subject to SSO criteria.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | SSO: Social security clients can insure themselves against dog bites

Originally Posted by misskit

Yearly vaccinations, and sterilization are the must-dos to solve the problems of rabies and stray animals.

Culling any dog found wandering un-collard would be better.

‘Animal lovers’ boost rabies risk, expert says

MARCH 9, 2018
Bangkok Post

With a rabies alert having been announced nationwide, “animal lovers” may have become part of the problem, Cheerasak Pipatpongsopon, deputy director-general of the Department of Livestock Development said yesterday, noting that people sometimes are obstacles to disease control as they do not allow officials to capture stray animals.

“There are a lot of stray animals in Bangkok and Nonthaburi and it is very difficult to manage because a lot of people are animal lovers. They feed them and do not allow us to take the animals to shelters,” he said yesterday. “It’s time relevant agencies had a discussion about the issue."

"If people do not allow us to capture stray animals, how can we control disease?” he said, adding that there are 3.4 million stray animals nationwide.

Mr Cheerasak made these comments in the light of Nonthaburi becoming the latest province to be declared a rabies hotspot after an infected animal was discovered.

A radius of 5km from the location where the infection was found will be under epidemic control measures for 30 days from March 6 to April 4. “We are following the international standards of the World Organisation of Animal Health, if there are any human cases of the disease resulting in deaths in the next two months, the province will be placed in the red zone,” he said.

The 13 provinces currently in the red zone for rabies are Surin, Chon Buri, Sumut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nan, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Rot Et, Songkhla, Rayong, Tak and Sri Sa Ket.

In these areas, all animals must be vaccinated and all stray animals must be rounded up. Owners who fail to bring their pets in for vaccination are fined 200 baht for each pet, he said.

The department also announced rabies-prone areas in 42 other provinces. Among these, 31 provinces, including Bangkok, have been declared temporary epidemics.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gen...sk-expert-says.

Bangkok and Nonthaburi declared temporary rabies epidemic zone

March 10, 2018 | | By Thai PBS

• 

Bangkok and Nonthaburi have been declared a temporary rabies epidemic zone for March 6 until April 4 by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD).

DLD deputy director-general Cheerasak Pipatpongsopon said Friday (March 9) that the declaration of temporary rabies epidemic zone means that all stray dogs and cats would be caught by authorities for vaccination against rabies and kept in quarantine.

Owners of dogs and cats must bring their animals for vaccination, failing that they may face a fine of 200 baht for each pet animal in their care.

The DLD estimated that there are about 3.4 million stray dogs and cats throughout the country. Mr Cheerasak assured that the department’s rabies vaccines which were checked by the Food and Drug Administration are up to the standard.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bangkok-nonthaburi-declared-temporary-rabies-epidemic-zone/

Public Health Min taking steps to prevent rabies outbreak

BANGKOK, 12th March 2018 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has instructed the Department of Disease Control to give anti-rabies vaccinations to people and animals to prevent a wider outbreak.

According to Public Health Minister Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, the Department of Disease Control continues to provide anti-rabies vaccinations free to the general public after a number of infected animals were recently reported.

He claimed that people pay little attention to the severity of the virus. In the past, the majority of rabies patients succumbed to the disease because there were no medicines. Now, anyone bitten by a cat or dog is advised to seek medical attention immediately.

Vaccinations are being provided in 13 affected provinces.

In Chiang Rai province, a survey is now underway to determine the number of doses needed. Animals without an owner are likely to be sterilized to keep their population under control and prevent rabies transmissions.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Public Health Min taking steps to prevent rabies outbreak

Monkeys in Lopburi to receive anti-rabies vaccination

BANGKOK, 13 March 2018 (NNT) - The LopBuri Provincial Livestock Office plan to inoculate over 3,000 macaques in the province with anti-rabies vaccine during March 26th to 29th, 2018.

Livestock chief and veterinarian Charoon Chukiatwattana said more 3,000 macaques are living near Phra Kan Shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yod in Lopburi's Muang district. He said the vaccination will help prevent the spread of rabies among animals and to humans.

However, officials have not come across any serious communicable diseases among the monkeys, although some have been found to suffer from skin diseases.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Monkeys in Lopburi to receive anti-rabies vaccination