Protect Your Pets and Yourself from Rabies: Latest Updates and Prevention Measures from Thailand's Department of Disease Control

2023-06-08 04:07:25

The Department of Disease Control reveals that Thailand has found 3 deaths from rabies, warning that there is no cure. can be prevented by taking pets to get vaccinated People who were bitten or scratched went to see a doctor for vaccination.

On June 8, 2023, Dr. Tares Krassaniyawiwong Director General Department of Disease Control Mentioned the situation of rabies from disease surveillance in the surveillance report system 506 by the Division of Epidemiology that From January 1 to May 23, 2023, there were 3 deaths reported (Chonburi, Rayong and Surin) and on May 10, 2023, the Department of Disease Control. by the Division of Epidemiology was notified by the Office of Disease Control 2, Phitsanulok Province, Tak Provincial Public Health Office and Mae Sot Hospital, Tak Province. A 28-year-old male patient with Myanmar nationality was found. One suspected rabies patient became ill on April 26, 2023 and was treated at a private clinic. Later, his symptoms did not improve, so he was admitted to Mae Sot Hospital on April 28. .66 The responsible physician collected saliva and hair follicle nodes for examination at the Department of Medical Sciences. gave positive results for rabies Later, the patient died on May 3, 2023. From the investigation of the disease, it was found that The fatalities had a history of being bitten on the legs by stray dogs while living in Myanmar in mid-March 2023, and since exposure occurred abroad, rabies deaths were not counted in the reporting system. disease surveillance Department of Epidemiology. Including alerting people who have touched other suspected rabies animals. In such areas, go get vaccinated against the disease. and monitoring animal diseases at the same time, especially dogs and cats in the area which may have been infected by dogs with rabies

“Rabies can be found year-round in the area. Has an infected dog or mammal bites a person or another animal This disease is transmitted from animals to humans caused by the Rabies virus found in mammals. especially dogs and cats and found in cattle 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, ”said the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control.

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that this disease has no specific treatment. But can be prevented by taking your pet to get rabies vaccination. People who have been bitten, scratched or touched by 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 behavior changes, wash the wound with clean water and soap with continuous running water for at least 15 minutes, and then treat the wound with antibiotics. Contain animals that bite, lick, 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 for vaccination after exposure to the disease at the hospital after being bitten, scratched or touched with 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.