Rabies Outbreak In Hau Hin

A rabies scare has caused panic in Hua Hin, forcing officials to cordon off an area, after ten people were bitten by a rabid dog.

The animal was caught and taken for tests and was found to be infected with the deadly rabies virus.

Local authorities became suspicious after reports of at least ten people being bitten in the Hua Hin area.

The incidents occurred in the Chomsin Road area and the nearby night market.

Officials armed with the knowledge that a black rabid dog had been on the loose, visited the area to discover it had been freely roaming the streets for sometime, raising concerns that it could have infected other animals.

Officials said most of the victims had already been vaccinated, other than one old lady, who received a scratch to her face. She was taken to hospital to be treated.

Officials are urging everyone to have their dogs and cats vaccinated but what can be done about the mass of street dogs that roam Thailand?

This is a major problem for many of Thailand's towns as stray dogs are allowed to run in packs, freely on any spare ground. The animals live as wild creatures and should one get infected, there is a strong possibility that others will also have the virus, putting humans at risk.

Rabies is a virus that affects the brain, causing inflammation and symptoms similar to meningitis. It leads to confusion, insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, delirium and coma in many instances.

Sufferers often have a fear of water (hydrophobia). Death is almost unavoidable once the symptoms appear.

The advice is simple. If bitten by an animal, especially if it looks deranged, get yourself to a hospital as fast as possible.

Source: Thai Visa

Content: TPVS