THE rabies epidemic claimed its 10th victim yesterday (June 12, 2018) with this being a 59-year-old man who died of the disease at Rayong coastal city in the East after being bitten by his pet dog last March, the Thai-language daily Matichon reported today.
Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said an investigation of those who died of this disease this year shows that they took a risk and did not get themselves vaccinated after being bitten.
The Livestock Development Department and local administrations have so far vaccinated over 10 million animals this year and also have adequate doses of the vaccine for human use. Vaccine for animals were distributed nationwide and some provinces got 1 million doses. Provinces that needed more vaccine could borrow from other provinces that had a surplus.
The epidemic zone remains the same as early this year and last year with this being provinces surrounding Bangkok, lower Northeast region and lower South with the southern provinces affected being Trang, Phathalung, Songkhla, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat
The 10 rabies deaths occurred in the following provinces: Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Nong Khai and Yasothon in the Northeast; Trang, Songkhla, Prachuab Kriri Khan and Phattalung in the South; and Rayong in the East.
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Top: Top: A Nakhon Ratchasima official vaccinating a pet dog at the owner’s home early this year. Photo: INN News
In-text: Dr Suwanchai talking to the press today. Photo: Matichon
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