Pet dogs are a major cause of rabies cases as most domestic animals are not vaccinated, the Public Health Ministry has warned.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the problem.
The government has made prevention of rabies a top priority since the Infectious Disease Act was introduced last year and it became apparent that 80 percent of pet dogs have not been vaccinated.
PUBLIC CONCERN
The information was provided by Permanent Secretary for Public Health Sophon Mekthon.
Pet owners and family members are at risk from rabies-infected animals as they do not suspect the dogs they raise and are close to have the virus.
This year, three people have died of rabies outside of Bangkok. Five deaths were recorded last year, Dr Sophon said.
DISEASE TRANSMISSION
In the past, stray dogs were blamed for the spread of rabies. They were rounded up to be neutered and vaccinated. Rabies attacks the central nervous system, causing brain malfunction and death.
Thailand has been on high alert against the disease since last year when the 2015 Infectious Disease Act took effect.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The Bureau of Epidemiology has spearheaded efforts to prevent and control the disease, Dr Sophon said. Its officials have worked across state agencies and gained support from the Department of Livestock and the Department of Local Administration.
City Hall has also carried out campaigns against rabies and said it was satisfied with the success in reducing the virus in the capital, Bangkok governor spokesman Wasan Meewong said.
Although no rabies infections have been reported in humans in Bangkok since 2013, City Hall urged pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated.
EXERCISES
Read through Exercises and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. No rabies infections have been reported in humans in Bangkok since 2003. ………….
2. Thailand has been on high alert against the disease since 2015. ………….
3. Sophon Mekthon is Minister of Public Health. ………….
4. According to Dr Sophon, three people have died of rabies outside of Bangkok this year. ………….
ANSWERS
EXERCISES
1. False.
2. True.
3. False.
4. True.
rabies (n): a disease of dogs and other animals that causes madness and death
vaccinate (v): to give a person or an animal some medicine in order to protect them against a disease
neuter (v): to remove part of the sex organs of an animal so that it cannot produce young
epidemiology (n): the scientific study of the spread and control of diseases
spearhead (v): to begin an activity or lead an attack against somebody or something
