Thai Health Ministry Eyes Rabies Eradication By 2020

[webfact]

MOPH eyes rabies eradication by 2020

BANGKOK, 26 January 2011 (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health is drawing up a strategy to combat rabies, targeting complete eradication of the disease from the country in the next 9 years.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit chaired a meeting with the Department of Local Administration, Interior Ministry, and the Department of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, to formulate a plan to permanently stamp out rabies from the country by the year 2020. The mission is in line with the international goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

As part of the strategy, rabies-free zones will be designated at the district, provincial and local administrative levels with participation from the public in keeping a close watch for any infections.

Since rabies was responsible for 15 fatalities in Thailand last year, Mr Jurin recommended anyone bitten by dogs or cats to seek medical attention immediately and to receive vaccines provided by the government free of charge. The Minister has instructed the Food and Drug Administration to create an understanding with all vaccine providers about correct storage in order to ensure effective protection of the recipients. Regular vaccinations of pets are also not to be overlooked by the owners.

There are now 36 provinces in Thailand which have been free of rabies for the past two years.

-- NNT 2011-01-26

[bangon04]

"complete eradication????"

It would be nice if they could just start with the city centres. Wouldn't it be pleasant to walk along the street (not the sidewalk because that would be asking to much), without being harassed by packs of mangy, deformed, bleeding dogs on the way to the supermarket.?

Young children, old people, and the occasional mother with babe in arms are bitten or threatened in the street near me, almost daily.

I am told that the Thai way is to allow these dogs the freedom to be killed by traffic or to succumb to illness in their own good time.

[tw25rw]

A noble cause, but a very tough challenge.. Much tougher than eradicating smallpox was.

[hgma]

2005

bitten by a vicious dog not once but twice.

Dog "belonged"to neighbors........

Needed admission on suspicion of Rabbies.

3 days hospital

Police called in by NongKhai Hospital

Owner was summond to......

1.apologize in person to me.

2.Pay all cost.

3. Get "rid" of the dog.

Treu story.

NongKhai

hgma

[egg]

[webfact]

Thailand rabies-free by 2020: Jurin

By The Nation

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit believes Thailand can be free of rabies by the year 2020, noting that at least 36 Thai provinces have had no rabies for two consecutive years.

The goal is in line with objectives set by the World Health Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal Health, Jurin said.

Thailand will set standards for the creation of rabies-free zones at province, district and subdistrict level with the cooperation of local authorities and communities, he said.

He said that to be considered safe for tourism, an area must have been free from rabies, malaria, Legionnaires', cholera, SARS and bird flu for at least two years.

Last year 15 people died of rabies in Thailand, he said, urging people injured by dogs or cats to see doctors and get the rabies vaccine provided free by the government.

-- The Nation 2011-01-27

[alant]

vaccine free of charge?

they didn't tell me that when i went and had my shots

[sikishrory]

1 word: BB Gun. or 2 words maybe lol

[metisdead]

One post that was inflammatory in nature as well as being off topic has been removed. If you can't post in a decent manner, just read instead.

[bangon04]

Haven't done such a great job with malaria so far, not to mention dengue fever.

But let's face it, even if they do manage to eradicate the disease in Thai animals, there will always be those pesky Cambodian mosquitos and dogs sneaking across the borders to undermine their efforts.

[dighambara]

2005

bitten by a vicious dog not once but twice.

Dog "belonged"to neighbors........

Needed admission on suspicion of Rabbies.

3 days hospital

Police called in by NongKhai Hospital

Owner was summond to......

1.apologize in person to me.

2.Pay all cost.

3. Get "rid" of the dog.

Treu story.

NongKhai

hgma

Not as good a story, but - Recently, one neighbor's dog was killed by another neighbor's dog - the dogs had not gotten along in years. The following morning, I was on a walk with my young daughters and saw the owner of the vicious dog. I told him 'If I see your dog out, I will kill it' and pointed at my daughters - saying "my concern is for them'... By the end of the day, the dog was no longer at his home.

Edited January 28, 2011 by dighambara

[kimamey]

I didn't realise there was still rabies in Thailand. When I made my first visit a couple of years ago I asked my gf about it and she said they'd got rid of it a few years back. Glad I know better now.