Rabies Situation in Thailand
Apirom Puanghat, DVM*, Wirongrong Hunsoowan, DVM**
Affiliation : * Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health ** Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Rabies statistics have been officially recorded since 1929 and rabies became a notifiable disease in Thailand in 1980. The direct fluorescent antibody test is the test most frequently used to diagnose rabies. Although rabies incidence has been declining, animal specimens submitted for testing have been inadequate and it is not justifiable to conclude that the rabies situation is controlled. Laboratory confirmation of rabies in man relies on demonstration of rabies antigen on brain impression smear or RNA in secretions and hair follicles. Nevertheless, almost all specimens belonged to patients who manifested as furious rabies only. Reliability of the reporting system needs improvement in public understanding and close cooperation be- tween public and government sectors.
Keywords : Rabies, Incidence, Control, Human, Animal
