Rise in human rabies deaths blamed on poor quality vaccines

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

File photo // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

THE HUMAN death toll from rabies in Thailand has soared to 17 so far this year – 54 per cent higher than last year – as poor quality vaccines and a vaccine shortage have hampered efforts to curb the incurable disease.
 

Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Emerging Infectious Disease Health Science Centre at Chulalong-korn University’s Faculty of Medicine, said that efforts to control the disease this year have been ineffective. 

 

The number of rabies fatalities so far this year has already exceeded the 11 total cases from all of 2017, he noted.

 

“After the news about major rabies outbreaks earlier this year faded from public attention, many people thought that the problem was solved but many parts of Thailand are still ravaged by rabies outbreaks and the number of preventable deaths from rabies is continuing to rise.”

 

He said that though the number of samples from suspected dogs and cats that are found to be “rabies-positive” continued to decrease, this is not proof that rabies infection rates have lowered.

 

There are many potentially infected animals out there that have not been tested for rabies, he said.

 

Rabies control is also being obstructed by problems with vaccinations. Many local administrative organisations do not have sufficient quantities of standardised vaccines to immunise the local dog and cat population, resulting in efforts to stop the outbreak taking longer or even failing. “I have been informed by many officers in local administrative organisations that as of now, they have not received the new 10 million lots of imported rabies vaccines that Livestock Development had promised to distribute to the entire nation earlier this year. They were forced to use old vaccines to immunise local dogs and cats,” Thiravat said.

 

 

“Furthermore, it was also found that many rabies vaccines for animals were poor quality.” The potential side effects could concern pet owners and prevent them from protecting their pets with a rabies vaccination, Thiravat said.

 

The problems this year are caused by agencies failing to perform their duties, he said. Instead of admitting their shortcomings and asking for assistance, they keep insisting that the situation is under control.

 

He called on Livestock Development and the Food and Drug Administration to admit their inability and get help and to genuinely tackle the rabies outbreak.

 

But Wiriya Kaewthong, the director of the Livestock Development Depart-ment’s Disease Control and Veterinary Services Bureau, said the vaccine problems are not solely the responsibility of his department. He said the Livestock Development and Local Administra-tion Department also shares the duty of vaccinating dogs and cats. 

 

“Livestock Development is responsible for only purchasing vaccines to immunise a million dogs and cats, while the remaining 9 million vaccines are the duty of the Local Administration Department to procure to vaccinate dogs and cats,” Wiriya said.

 

“We also ensure that every vaccine imported by Livestock Development is of a high quality, but these vaccines may have some side-effects to a very few pets that are allergic to the vaccine.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30352154

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-15

"...I have been informed by many officers in local administrative organisations that as of now, they have not received the new 10 million lots of imported rabies vaccines that Livestock Development had promised to distribute to the entire nation earlier this year. They were forced to use old vaccines to immunise local dogs and cats,” Thiravat said..."

 

Good to know the government is keeping up on this (sarcasm alert)

 

"...The problems this year are caused by agencies failing to perform their duties, he said. Instead of admitting their shortcomings and asking for assistance, they keep insisting that the situation is under control..."

 

This sounds like putting your head in the sand, and is impossible in Thai culture (sarcasm alert).

 

"...But Wiriya Kaewthong, the director of the Livestock Development Depart-ment’s Disease Control and Veterinary Services Bureau, said the vaccine problems are not solely the responsibility of his department..."

 

This sounds like he is trying to pass the responsibility, and that is impossible in Thai culture (sarcasm alert).

 

This report does not fill me with confidence...

 

 

I have seen so many dead dogs left on the road after being hit or fallen from pickups,

no care or responsibility taken by their  owners, (great carers they are) soi dogs that continue to harass and bite innocent kids and still the dogs are left to roam the streets unchecked, The cost of vaccination and the duty should not be on local administrators, but the owners them selfs, 

dying of rabies is not FATE!

 

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

Rise in human rabies deaths blamed on poor quality vaccines

And here’s me thinking it was due to people being bitten by infected animals. 

Exterminate the Soi dogs, Jail the feeders and do gooders

The problem will go away very quickly. 

People first, soi dogs last. 

 

 

 

 

87.33 % of rabies infected animals are dogs. That will then translate into mostly stray dogs. That´s just another shiny button on the shirt for pro-shooting down the whole bunch of them.

The result of decades of mismanagement. TAX THE RICH and use that money to clean up this country. Garbage and street dogs and cats all over the place. I hate to see those animals suffering. I only see the poor taking care of them. 

2 hours ago, stanleycoin said:

Exterminate the Soi dogs, Jail the feeders and do gooders

The problem will go away very quickly. 

People first, soi dogs last. 

 

 

 

 

Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself in a very unfortunate situation. Karma is a B

You cant shoot the dogs as Thais think the dog might be an ex relative. So they are left half starved on the streets.

 

It sounds like the money for the vaccines went somewhere else.....

Bad Vaccines? Corruption?......

 

The only real problem here is the rapid dogs roaming around. Its the only way to get a grip on this disease but commonsense isnt a thai trait. Just blame others.

2 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself in a very unfortunate situation. Karma is a B

Nah

If you love the Soi  dogs that much.

Go round them up,  and take them home with you.

Then you will truly understand Karma. 

 

Using poor quality vaccines could select a more virulent rabies strain -

3 minutes ago, stanleycoin said:

Nah

If you love the Soi  dogs that much.

Go round them up,  and take them home with you.

Then you will truly understand Karma. 

 

Already have a few at my house in Thailand.

1 minute ago, Nickymaster said:

Already have a few at my house in Thailand.

Not enough

Go get 20000 more to add to the three you already have.

Then come back and report on you Karma experiences .

Edited August 15, 20187 yr by stanleycoin

they surely did a bad job with that map's legend

3 hours ago, webfact said:

There are many potentially infected animals out there that have not been tested for rabies, he said.

With a statement like that, how can he blame poor quality vaccines?

 

They really do need to man-up and admit that the situation is badly mis-managed, not enough vaccines only shows no pre-planning to me. Regardless of the number of strays vaccinated, this will not stop the rabies problem in the short term unless all strays are vaccinated, spayed and neutered. 

18 minutes ago, bsdthai said:

Bad Vaccines? Corruption?......

 

The only real problem here is the rapid dogs roaming around. Its the only way to get a grip on this disease but commonsense isnt a thai trait. Just blame others.

RAPID dogs???   walking, running fast?    I'd be more worried about RABID dogs.

 

Every street and soi in the country has strays.  This is why "Western "countries have strict regulations about licencing dogs, higher fees for female dogs, and NUMBER of dogs on one property in the suburbs. Unlicensed dogs are collected.

Ignore the problems and the result is to be expected - a doubling of deaths in 6 months.

Edited August 15, 20187 yr by masuk
typo

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

And here’s me thinking it was due to people being bitten by infected animals. 

and  how  many of those dogs who received the vaccine also had a naff vaccine.................cull the  bloody  things and be done with it!

22 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself in a very unfortunate situation. Karma is a B

There is no humanity or dogymanity in keeping animals on street! And there is only one way to deal with it, and it is to clean up, and make sure the problem do not return. Every dog should be tagged, if not taken off the street, so all dog owners carry the responsibillity of their own dog! If the dog run away, the owner get fined! 

 

Dog patrols in every city and village cleaning up the street for the dogs and cats own best. 

19 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Already have a few at my house in Thailand.

Thankfully  we arent neighbours then

28 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself in a very unfortunate situation. Karma is a B

Karma, who believs in that? Perhaps you're religious, wear amulttes etc?

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

There is no humanity or dogymanity in keeping animals on street! And there is only one way to deal with it, and it is to clean up, and make sure the problem do not return. Every dog should be tagged, if not taken off the street, so all dog owners carry the responsibillity of their own dog! If the dog run away, the owner get fined! 

 

Dog patrols in every city and village cleaning up the street for the dogs and cats own best. 

never  going to happen unfortunately, until it becomes a  serious threat , at this  point dogs  will be wiped out and youll see the true nature of people, all that dog  love  will be  gone in a flash.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The problems this year are caused by agencies failing to perform their duties, he said. Instead of admitting their shortcomings and asking for assistance, they keep insisting that the situation is under control.

So very Thai, can't admit it is wrong, just deny everything.

3 hours ago, stanleycoin said:

Exterminate the Soi dogs, Jail the feeders and do gooders

The problem will go away very quickly. 

People first, soi dogs last. 

 

 

 

 

Dear Stanley, Thanks for your useful suggestion. Unfortunately we are currently under enormous pressure and workload regarding the priority issues, cigarette butts, and sex in the parks.

However, to show our sincere appreciation we invite you to our annual 4 day summer picnic on the beach.

Kind regards

Your local administration  

Edited August 15, 20187 yr by Lupatria

45 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Karma is a B

Yeah, I guess it´s gonna be a B, when you get bitten too. Like the quote youcommented. Exterminate the pest!

Viruses mutate with every infection, if this virus ever mutates to become airborne, that would be a very interesting time indeed 

46 minutes ago, stanleycoin said:

48 minutes ago, Nickymaster said:

Already have a few at my house in Thailand.

Not enough

Go get 20000 more to add to the three you already have.

Then come back and report on you Karma experiences .

I walk in the morning as in 530-615 - Good for my blood pressure. I will walk through at least two large packs of soi dogs who are out by the park/road waiting for the guy on motorcycle who will feed in morning. To make merit of course. That is a rabies accident waiting to happen as it is over 22 dogs by today's count. 

I will likely get my rabies series by the end of this year. I visit Bali and they have a rabies problem too, that is of course non reported.

 

For all you Karma people, time cough up the Baht and get these two packs vaccinated. Just send a message and I will direct you to the location and a police who actually will assist. Make sure you have lots of cash as you will need to hire people to catch the soidogs, and vaccine of course.

 

Lets put your money where your heart is!   It is going to cost more for high quality vaccine of course, 

Edited August 15, 20187 yr by LomSak27

4 minutes ago, stanleycoin said:

Right on mate, calm down.

Get yourself a coffee and pull your knickers back up.

 

And there was me thinking you said a few months back,  vaccination is the way to go.

and culls don't work,  maybe you forgot you were in Thailand, easy done. 

You had your go,  and it's failed.

Let's go with my way, now,   put the soi dogs down. 

 

Peoples lives matter. 

Not yours.

Vaccinations do work and have worked and will work. 

16 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

No, the article was correct in the assessment. One need not be bit to become infected. Remember, while the animal   can be the  vector (agent of infection), the virus is in the  Saliva . It is the saliva that comes in contact with exposed flesh or mucous membrane tissue such as mouth, eye,  nose, that allows the infection to spread. The vaccines are not working and it  highlights a more serious problem: The  animal vaccine makers are also supplying the medication used for the treatment of people who are exposed.

 

Come and jail me. Also jail the  many health professionals, and leading members of  the local expat Hua Hin community  who support feeding programs. You are clueless as to how to control feral populations of animals.  I am  a grateful to have the opportunity to support the Hua Hin Dog Shelter, initiated by His Majesty, the King in 2003. The centre aims to take care of stray dogs, feeding them, treating them for illness, vaccinating them against disease and finally trying to find them a permanent loving home and a better life.  I dare you to come and tell that to the people who donate their time and money to this wonderful charity. 

However, your comment of people first soi dogs last does raise the question as to who sets the standard for  the "people". As you are well below my social status in respect to education, position in society, wealth, and contribution to society, I deem you unworthy and recommend your quick dispatch.

 

Not at all. You do not understand the impact, nor benefit  of stable feral populations. The issue has been discussed at length in previous threads.

 

You have embarrassed yourself already with your failure to understand the issue at hand, but now you venture off into another demonstration of ignorance with your crude misinterpretation of karma. 

I was being somewhat facetious, though if pushed I would still blame saliva transference. However I do take your point. 

For all you dog lovers! It have to be better for the dogs that there is few soi dogs around, and better for people as well. Thinking of every day new poppys getting born in to misery, and more dogs getting killed by road, starving, getting bullied and bitten by other dogs, and so on! There is no common sense in keeping soi dogs and not deal with the problem once, and then have proper service for the dogs that is taken good care of. Chip every dog, tax the owners, and make sure they are taken care of with vaccines and everything else. 

 

Good money it will be, and more work to the people.