In response to the recent occurrence of rabies in a Formosan gem-faced civet in Hengchun Township, Pingtung county, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced that beginning December 30, 2014, besides giving rabies vaccine, animal bite cases that involved significant bites or scratches by Formosan gem-faced civets or Formosan gem-faced civet that were confirmed to be infected with rabies will be assessed by the physician to determine the need of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) that is covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI).

Since January 1, 2014, HRIG for rabies cases has been covered by NHI. When bitten or scratched by animals, the public is advised 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. In addition, besides completing the full course of post-exposure rabies vaccination that consists of five doses of the vaccine given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, when necessary, the physician will determine the need of HRIG to lower the risk of developing rabies.

Between July 21, 2013 and December 29, 2014, a total of 11, 419 animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received. Of the applications, 9,071 cases were bitten by stray cats and dogs (79.4% of the total), 1,213 cases were bitten by rodents (10.6%), and 62 were bitten by Formosan gem-faced civets (0.5%). During the past decade, a total of three human rabies cases have been confirmed. Two were imported from China in 2002 and 2012, while the other was imported from the Philippines in 2013. All three cases died.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) reminds the public that rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain. Once symptoms develop, the disease is invariably 100% fatal. Hence, Taiwan CDC once again 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. If bitten or scratched by stray or wild animals, please be sure to seek prompt and proper treatment at a hospital. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).