On August 13, 2013, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for rabies tested a total of 19 specimens for rabies virus, including 3 specimens collected from ferret-badgers in Nantou County and Taichung City, which were tested positive for the virus, another 2 specimens collected from ferret-badgers in New Taipei City and Nantou County, 2 specimens collected from masked palm civets in Pingtung County, 1 specimen from a crab-eating mongoose in Chiayi County, 1 specimen from a ferret in Nantou County, 6 specimens from house shrews in Taipei City(3), Chiayi County(2) and Tainan City(1), and 1 specimen respectively from a squirrel, a Formosan rock monkey, a dog and a cat . Besides the 3 specimens collected from ferret-badgers that were tested positive for rabies virus, none of the other 16 specimens were tested positive for the virus.  As of August 13, a total of 293 specimens collected from carnivorous wild animals, excluding 82 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 39 townships, districts and villages in 8 cities and counties in the nation. Ferret-badgers remain the primary animal affected.

CECC stated that vaccine suppliers had imported 403,000 doses of rabies vaccine, which arrived in two separate batches on August 5 and 6, 2013 and had subsequently distributed to animal hospitals beginning August 13. Another batch of 100,000 doses of rabies vaccine imported by the vaccine supplier on August 8 is expected to be distributed to animal hospitals before August 16. It is estimated that a total of 440,000 doses of rabies vaccine are distributed to animal hospitals by August 16. In response to the identification of new rabies cases in animals, on August 13, the Council of Agriculture distributed to 1,000 doses of animal rabies vaccines to Chiayi County and 1,450 doses to Pingtung County to reinforce the vaccination of cats and dogs in the mountainous areas and the hunting hounds the aboriginal people keep. 

Between 3pm on August 12 and 3pm on August 13, 2013, a total of 107 new animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received. Of the applications, 86 have been approved, including 17 applications from Taipei, 16 applications from northern Taiwan, 24 applications from central Taiwan, 10 applications from southern Taiwan, 14 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, and 5 applications from eastern Taiwan. At the time of writing, an accumulative total of 2,232 animal bite cases applying for rabies vaccine were received and 1,535 cases were approved, including 294 applications from Taipei, 224 applications from northern Taiwan, 379 applications from central Taiwan, 258 applications from southern Taiwan, 270 applications from Kaohsiung and Pingtung, 93 applications from eastern Taiwan, and 17 applications from out of the country. On the other hand, an accumulative total of 24 animal bite cases applying for HRIG were approved and 22 cases have received the prophylaxis.   

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.