14 Thai Provinces off Rabies ‘red zone’ list

The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) has taken 14 provinces off its list of rabies outbreak zones. Another 24 provinces remain on the list because they contain areas where rabies is still suspected.

Originally, zones in 38 provinces were announced in January, with the observation period expiring on Tuesday (March 20).

The DLD Deputy Director-General Jeerasak Pipattanapongsophon says that, as of yesterday (March 21) 14 provinces had been removed from the list.

The provinces whose status has returned to ‘normal’ are Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chantaburi, Chonburi, Buriram, Surin, Amnatcharoen, Nakhon Phanom, Mahasarakam, Roi Et, Loei, Nongkhai, Krabi and Phattalung.

Those provinces that remain on the list as containing zones where rabies is suspected are Chacherngsao, Prachinburi, Rayong, Samut Prakarn, Nakhon Ratchassima, Yasothon, Srisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin, Khonkaen, Mukdahan, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai, Nan, Tak, Petchabun, Prachuab Kirikhan, Samut Songkram, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Satun and Nonthaburi.

Mr Jeerasak said that a DLD survey estimates that there are about 10 million cats and dogs in Thailand. The DLD says it’s committed to vaccinate 8.24 million of them.

Between October last year and this week, 2,720,822 dogs and cats have been vaccinated.

“By May this year, the remaining 5.52 million animals are expected to be vaccinated.”