As of November 21, 2013, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for rabies has tested a total of 2,698 specimens from carnivorous wild animals, bats, cats and dogs for rabies virus. Of the specimens, 235 specimens collected from ferret-badgers, 1 specimen collected from a house shrew, and 1 human rabies case associated with ferret-badger bites were tested positive for the virus, while all the other specimens were tested negative for the virus. Thus far, the incidence of rabies in wild animals has been detected 58 townships, districts and villages in 9 cities and counties in the nation. Ferret-badgers remain the primary animal affected. Health authorities continue to reinforce rabies vaccination of cats and dogs in areas with incidence of rabies and those at increased risk for rabies incidence. Currently, rabies vaccination coverage rate among cats and dogs in the mountainous areas and areas with incidence of rabies has reached 97%, while rabies vaccination coverage rate among cats and dogs in areas without incidence of rabies, but with presence of ferret-badgers has reached 76% and rabies vaccination coverage rate among cats and dogs in other areas, excluding offshore islands, has reached 62%.

Between November 10 and 16, 2013, a total of 154 new animal bite cases applying for government-funded rabies vaccine and 8 new animal bite cases applying for self-paid rabies vaccine were received. At the time of writing, an accumulative total of 5,626 animal bite cases applying for government-funded rabies vaccine and 312 animal bite cases applying for self-paid rabies vaccine were approved. On the other hand, an accumulative total of 41 animal bite cases applying for HRIG were approved.

CECC reminds pet owners to remember to obtain the up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate and the rabies tag after their pets have received rabies vaccination and make sure their pets wear the rabies tag after being vaccinated against rabies while visiting public places. Beginning January, 2014, the Council of Agriculture will invite central and local authorities to form inspection teams to reinforce inspection of pets for rabies vaccination. Pet owners who fail to take their pets to receive rabies vaccination as requested by competent authorities may be fined NT$ 10,000 up to NT$ 50,000 according to the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease. In addition, CECC reminds the public to not touch, hunt, capture, feed and keep wild animals as well as not abandon their pets and ensure their pets are properly vaccinated in a timely manner to ensure their own health and the health of animals.

CECC once again stresses that sufficient human rabies vaccines for front-line animal health personnel and the public have been distributed to hospitals with a stockpile of the vaccine. When bitten or scratched by animals, please remember to take the following 4 steps: 1.Remember: Try to remain calm and remember the characteristics of the biting animal; 2. Wash: Immediately wash the wound with soap and an ample amount of clean water for 15 minutes and then disinfect the wound with iodine or 70% alcohol; 3. Seek: Seek prompt medical attention for proper evaluation and treatment to reduce the risk of infection; and 4. Observe: Try to detain the biting animal for a 10-day observation if possible. However, do not risk capturing the animal if it gets violent. . If unusual behaviors, including difficulty in swallowing (not eating and drinking), fearfulness, increased urination, increased sensitivity to light or aggressiveness, are observed in animals, please report the sightings of animals with such behaviors to the local animal epidemic prevention agencies (Reporting Hotline: 0800-761-590). For more information on rabies prevention, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone. For more information on outbreaks of animal diseases, please visit the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ)’s website at http://www.baphiq.gov.tw or call the Council of Agriculture’s hotline, 0800-761-590.