On September 2, 2013, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for rabies tested a total of 8 specimens for rabies virus, including 2 specimens collected from ferret-badgers in Tainan City and Taitung County, which were tested positive for the virus, another 2 specimens collected from ferret-badgers in New Taipei City and Hsinchu County, 1 specimen collected from a gem-faced civet, 2 specimens collected from house shrews, and 1 specimen collected from a cat. Besides the 2 specimens collected from ferret-badgers that were tested positive for rabies virus, none of the other 6 specimens were tested positive for the virus. As of September 2, a total of 486 specimens collected from carnivorous wild animals, excluding 110 specimens collected from ferret-badgers that were tested positive for rabies virus, all tested negative for the virus. Thus far, the incidence of rabies in wild animals has been detected 47 townships, districts and villages in 9 cities and counties in the nation. Ferret-badgers remain the primary animal affected. On the other hand, on September 2, the Council of Agriculture distributed to 5,700 doses of animal rabies vaccines to Taoyuan County, 1,500 doses to Yilan County, 1,000 doses to Keelung City, 350 doses to Lienchiang County, and 2,100 doses to non-government funded animal shelters to reinforce the vaccination of cats and dogs in the mountainous areas and the hunting hounds the aboriginal people keep as an attempt to limit rabies cases to the mountainous areas. 

Between 4pm on August 30 and 4pm on September 2, 2013, a total of 191 new animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received. Of the applications, 150 have been approved, including 32 applications from Taipei, 21 applications from northern Taiwan, 27 applications from central Taiwan, 25 applications from southern Taiwan, 40 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, 4 applications from eastern Taiwan, and 1 from out of the country. At the time of writing, an accumulative total of 3,892 animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received and 2,742 cases were approved, including 562 applications from Taipei, 392 applications from northern Taiwan, 655 applications from central Taiwan, 443 applications from southern Taiwan, 498 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, 160 applications from eastern Taiwan, and 32 applications from out of the country. On the other hand, an accumulative total of 31 animal bite cases have received HRIG. 

CECC 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. 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. In addition, when necessary, please remember to complete 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. 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.