Ferret-badger suddenly bites people, tests positive for rabies; 70,000 people worldwide die of rabies each year; the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine urges cats and dogs to be vaccinated

On April 29, a female tourist surnamed Du was at the parking lot at Xiding, Fanlu Township, Chiayi County when a ferret-badger suddenly rushed out and bit her left foot and right hand. The ferret-badger was sent by the Chiayi County Livestock Disease Control Center to the Animal Health Research Institute for testing, and yesterday (the 30th) it was confirmed positive for rabies. The person has gone to Chiayi Christian Hospital to receive a tetanus vaccine, human rabies vaccine and immune globulin.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine said that rabies cases have so far been reported cumulatively in 9 counties and cities and 78 townships across Taiwan. Statistics from reporting data from 2013 to date show that there have been 53 cases of people being scratched or bitten by wild carnivores, of which 37 were cases of rabid ferret-badgers attacking and biting people, so the public must heighten their vigilance.

70,000 people worldwide die of rabies each year, 95% from dog bites

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), about 70,000 people worldwide currently die of rabies each year, of whom more than 95% were bitten by dogs. If the vaccination rate for dogs and cats can reach above 70%, the spread of rabies between humans and animals can be effectively prevented, making it the most economical and effective disease prevention method at present.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine urges the public to bring their household dogs and cats and artificially raised terrestrial carnivores to get rabies vaccinations every year, in order to raise overall immunization coverage, prevent the occurrence of rabies and ensure human and animal safety. Those who fail to comply will be fined under the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases a fine of no less than NT$30,000 and no more than NT$150,000.