In response to the ongoing rabies outbreak in wild animals in Taiwan, the sixth meeting convened by the inter-ministerial working group was held on July 30, 2013. According to statistics compiled by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), between 4pm on July 28 and 4pm on July 29, 2013, a total of 100 new animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received. Of the applications, 49 have been approved, including 5 applications from Taipei, 4 applications from northern Taiwan, 12 applications from central Taiwan, 15 applications from southern Taiwan, 8 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, 4 applications from eastern Taiwan, and 1 application from out of the country. Between 4pm on July 21 and 4pm on July 29, 2013, an accumulative total of 245 animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received. Of the applications, 115 have been approved, including 7 applications from Taipei, 9 applications from northern Taiwan, 33 applications from central Taiwan, 25 applications from southern Taiwan, 14 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, 20 applications from eastern Taiwan, and 7 applications from out of the country. 16 applications were approved for the use of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and 5 of them have received the prophylaxis.

According to Taiwan CDC, rabies is widely distributed around the world, with only 9 countries being free of the disease. Rabies cases primarily occur in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The United States and a number of countries in Europe are also affected by rabies. Nevertheless, as long as relevant prevention activities are carefully implemented, the occurrence of human rabies cases remains rare. Currently, the distribution of rabies in Taiwan is only limited to wild animals. As a result, the public is urged not to panic. The government has procured sufficient human rabies vaccine and HRIG and planned to continue to purchase more to ensure the recommended target groups for rabies vaccination and frontline health workers can all receive the vaccine. In addition, to ensure the public has access to the most current and accurate information on rabies prevention and control, Taiwan CDC has set up a rabies website and uploaded relevant health education and health promotion materials, including posters, brochures, and newsflash, to the website. More health education and health promotion materials will be developed and uploaded to the website for public reference.

1. Avoid animal bite: Avoid contact with wild animals and do not pick up sickened animals or animal carcasses and report sightings of sickened animals or animal carcasses to local animal epidemic prevention agencies or the Council of Agriculture (COA) through calling the hotline: 0800-761-590.

2. 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.

3. Seek medical attention when bitten or scratched by animals: Please seek medical assistance at one of the 28 hospitals with a stockpile or rabies vaccine, which can be found in every city and county in the nation.

Taiwan CDC reminds clinicians who encounter wild animal bite cases to remember to record the location where the bite occurred, the animal species that made the bite, and whether the animal has been retained for observation. If a patient is qualified for post-exposure vaccination, please contact a Taiwan CDC Regional Center to facilitate the application for rabies vaccines. 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 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone. For more information on outbreaks of animal diseases, please call the COA’s hotline, 0800-761-590.