WITH the Livestock Development Department having declared Bangkok among 22 provinces where there is an outbreak of rabies, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration today (March 15) said no humans in the city have contacted the desease so far but 6 dogs have done so, Thai News Agency reported.
Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Asawin Kwanmuang visited Bangkok Noi district today where he launched a rabies protection and awareness campaign after the disease was found around Wat Amphawa in Soi Charan Sanitwong 22.
Pol Gen Asawin said since the beginning of the year 6 dogs have been found to have contacted the disease in Don Mueang, Bang Khen, Bang Sue and Chatuchak districts, but so far humans have been spared.
All 50 district offices have been ordered to send teams out to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies. BMA has arranged 250,000 doses of vaccine to inject the animals, and has used up 80,000 doses so far.
Bangkok’s Governor has also ordered a strict monitoring of this disease both within the metropolis and the 6 adjoining provinces.
He added that BMA does not have a policy to put down strays because it is against Buddhist principles. The administration instead catches strays and takes them to Dog Care Center in Prawet district to be vaccinated and sterilized, with 2,000 having already gone through the process.
After that the stray dogs are taken to Bangkok Dog Rescue Center in Uthai Thani province, in lower northern region, which can accommodate 8,000 of them, and currently has around 7,000 living there.
BMA’s check shows there are over 100,000 stray dogs in the city right now.
CAPTION:
Top: A dog waiting to be vaccinated against rabies in Bangkok. Photo: Thai News Agency
In-text: Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Asawin visiting Bangkok Noi district this morning. Photo: Thai News Agency
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