No new strain of rabies found in Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept 9 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry confirmed no new strain of rabies or mutation found in Thailand, said Deputy Director –General of the Disease Control Department Opas Karnkawinphong. His remark came after the report on death by rabies in Pathum Thani. Surveillance and Rapid Response team has been dispatched to investigate the disease in Pathum Thani. About 70 per cent of pet dogs get rabies vaccine but it should be campaigned for more dog owners to do so to reach the target at 80-90 per cent. Apart from pet dogs, officials from municipalities and local offices of livestock department have worked together to sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs. He said that in Thailand, there are two types of rabies symptoms. The first one causes hydrophobia, spasm in the throat. For the other type of symptom, patients develop inflammation of the spinal cord and weakness in arms and legs. This year, Thailand has recorded seven deaths from rabies so far, excluding the latest death, reported at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. He advised persons, bitten by dogs, cats or other mammals to clean their wound with water and soap or alcohol before going to see doctors immediately. (TNA)