3 million cats and dogs vaccinated for rabies

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) -- The Department of Livestock Development reported that it has successfully vaccinated 3 million cats and dogs to control the spread of rabies and affected areas have been declared outbreak zones. Apai Suttisunk, the director-general of the Department of Livestock Development announced that a joint cooperative effort between the Department and the Department of Local Administration has set a rabies vaccination target for 8.24 million animals throughout the country. Since October 2017 up to the present 3,001,470 vaccinations have been made on animals within a 5 km radius of the outbreak zone which is a 100% coverage of the affected areas. By the end of March of this year 80% of all cats and dogs in the entire country will have been vaccinated. Also since October 2017 136,992 animals have been successfully neutered from a target of 300,000. Accordingly, rabies training and instructional courses have been given to 29,918 Department of Livestock volunteers since then. A target of educating 17,500 volunteers all over the country has been set. On top of this the Department of Local Administration have carried out registrations on 7.3 million cats and dogs throughout the country. Last year's census recorded approximately 10 million cats and dogs all over the country. The Department of Disease Control with the Ministry of Public Health reports that from January 1 - March 24, six people have died from rabies. As of then no other deaths have been reported. With regards to the announcement declaring affected areas as a 5 km radius outbreak zone the deputy director of the Department of Livestock stated that it was a necessary preventive measure to control the spread of the decease to other areas. This also allows the exact identification of the species of mammals that have been afflicted so that correct action can be taken. Similarly, the order preventing the movement of all animals or animal carcasses out these areas unless permission is given will help prevent the disease from spreading. (TNA)