Thailand Addressing Rabies Outbreak: 3 Deaths Reported in 2023, Government Urges Public to Take Precautions and Vaccinate Pets

13 June 2023 – Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs acting as spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office Revealing the situation of rabies in 2023, which information from the Department of Disease Control The Ministry of Public Health stated that in 2023, there were 3 people who died (from January 1 to May 23, 2023) due to not being vaccinated against rabies after exposure to the disease. and in some cases had a history of rabies vaccination before but not being revaccinated after being bitten by a dog

A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said that from the rabies situation that occurred, General Prayut Chan-ocha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense caring for people Therefore, people are asked to be careful and protect themselves from rabies. and should follow the recommendations of the Department of Disease Control By bringing pets to get rabies vaccination And if people who are bitten / scratched by animals or touching animal saliva through the wound or soft mucous membranes Especially animals that have never been vaccinated against rabies or the last time it was more than 1 year or do not know the vaccination history. Puppies born to mothers who have never been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unknown. have not yet received the vaccination as scheduled or animals that have been vaccinated but are sick or have changed behavior Wash the wound with clean water and soap. By letting the water flow continuously for at least 15 minutes before treating the wound with antibiotics and hurrying to see a doctor Including detaining animals that bite / lick. to observe symptoms for at least 10 days if the dog or cat dies Immediately notify the nearest community leader. and notify the livestock in the area To send the carcasses of suspected recently dead animals to be tested for rabies in the laboratory. And go see a doctor to get vaccinated at a hospital after being bitten, scratched or touched by the saliva of such animals. which currently only vaccinates 4-5 times For more information, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline, Tel. 1422.

“The government invites people to be part of the drive towards the goal. ‘Thailand is rabies-free by 2025’ according to the Rabies-Free Animals Project. with a solution to this disease with a focus on controlling dog and cat populations And animals must be vaccinated against rabies at least 80% of the number of dogs and cats annually, as well as promoting awareness of rabies among the public and pet owners. including responsible animal husbandry And do not leave animals in public areas, ”said a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

for rabies Information from the Department of Disease Control indicates that it can be found year-round if in that area there are dogs or mammals that are infected and then bite people. or another animal This disease is transmitted from animals to humans caused by the Rabies virus found in mammals. especially dogs and cats and sometimes found in cattle, buffaloes, the infection enters through wounds that have been bitten, scratched, or come into contact with the saliva of infected animals through the wound. or soft mucous membranes Rabies patients experience acute neurological symptoms. The first symptom is a fever. May experience itching around the bite wound, burning sensation, spreading to other parts, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, later may have restlessness, restlessness, insomnia, hallucinations, sensitivity to stimuli loss of balance Difficulty talking, swallowing, drooling, muscle twitching, chest tightness, convulsions may experience photophobia, wind fear, and water fear, which is called Furious form, about 80% of cases are found in another form, about 20% of patients, is Paralytic form) where muscle paralysis begins on the bitten side. before spreading to all 4 limbs and the patient will eventually die.