Krabi finds 6 rabies-infected dogs

Krabi Provincial Public Health Office have announced a warning to local residents after finding 6 dogs with rabies infection yesterday (March 20). Officials are reminding all people that if they are bitten, scratched or licked by stray dog or cat, to seek medical attention and get a rabies PEP vaccine.

The Chief of Krabi Provincial Public Health Office, Dr. Apichai Limanon, said that the rabies situation in Krabi deserves attention because after checking 10 suspected dogs from 2017 – 2018 from Lamtab District, 6 of them are rabies-infected and there are at least 13 people who have had direct contact with these dogs. They people are being monitored and have received the rabies PEP.

“Many people have misconception about rabies. Many of them think that rabies is curable so whenever they get a minor bite or are scratched or their open wound is touched by dog / cat saliva, they don’t clean the wound properly and then don’t go to hospital to receive the vaccine. When the virus gets into the body, the symptom can sometimes take a while to develop. Some people take a year until the symptom shows and when it happens, it’s not curable and can be fatal,” said the doctor.

He suggests people should know the 5 keys when around dogs and cats, particularly stray animals: Do not tease, do not step on, do not hit them, do not try to take away their food or what they are playing with and do not interact with other people’s dog or dogs that show symptoms.

“If you get a bite or wound from a dog or a cat, immediately clean the wound thoroughly with water and soap several times, put butadiene on it and rush to the nearest hospital to get the rabies PEP and keep following up the vaccine until the last shot for complete protection.

“If bitten, the dog or cat must be impounded for 10 days and if the animal dies, immediately report to the local livestock office to collect the body and check for rabies. The owners of dogs and cats must bring their pets to vaccinate every year for effective protection.