Rabies: Love Responsibly, Live Safely
Created By RISC | 1 day ago
Last modified date : 12 hours ago
Animal lovers, take note!
Every animal has its own charm—whether it’s a pet or a stray you encounter on the street. It’s natural to want to touch, feed, or play with them—but letting your guard down can have life-threatening consequences.
As the old saying goes: “Never fully trust a furry face.”
According to Thailand’s rabies report in August 2025, there have been 7 confirmed cases this year—and all 7 patients unfortunately passed away. The most recent case involved a person who had not received a rabies vaccine after being bitten by a stray dog.
Pets bring joy, but they can also transmit diseases if we are careless, unhygienic, or fail to ensure their welfare. Zoonotic diseases—infectious diseases that can pass between animals and humans—are a key concern. Transmission can occur from animals to humans or vice versa.
Examples of zoonoses include:
1. Viruses – Rabies, Avian Influenza
2. Bacteria – Leptospirosis, Tetanus, Tularemia
3. Fungi – Ringworm from cats, fungal infections from bird droppings
4. Parasites – Hookworm, Roundworm, Toxoplasmosis
Rabies is one of the most serious. It spreads through saliva, usually via bites or scratches from infected animals, attacking the nervous system and brain. Without immediate wound cleaning and post-exposure vaccination, rabies is almost always fatal. Prevention is therefore critical.
9 September 2025, rabies-infected animals were confirmed in Bangkok. Authorities warned residents to avoid contact with stray animals within a 5-kilometer radius. Anyone bitten or scratched must immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water, and seek medical attention for vaccination. When rabies is detected in an area, authorities establish a temporary epidemic zone, tag and isolate affected animals, disinfect the area, and implement disease control measures under the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
Rabies is not limited to dogs—cats, horses, monkeys, cattle, buffalo, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks can also carry the virus. Immediate wound cleaning and medical consultation are essential for safety.
Although vaccines exist, data from the Thai Rabies Net surveillance system show that cases continue to be reported nationwide.
Top 10 rabies outbreak areas in the past 30 days (Aug 11 – Sept 10, 2025)
A 2019 survey by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University found approximately 109,123 stray dogs (5% of the total 2,173,999 dogs) and 55,021 stray cats (6.4% of the total 854,256 cats) nationwide. These unowned animals lack proper care, increasing their risk of becoming disease carriers. With effective control measures and public cooperation, however, rabies can be eradicated.
Responsible pet ownership:
Animal lovers must be cautious. Avoid strays that appear fearful, aggressive, or sick. Show love to your pets responsibly.
Owners should understand their pets’ behavior to prevent accidental bites or scratches and protect them from attacks by strays. Maintaining hygiene—regular vet visits, health check-ups, and vaccinations—is crucial.
Under the Rabies Act B.E. 2535 (1992), all dogs and cats must be vaccinated. The first rabies vaccination should be given between 2–4 months of age. Non-compliance may result in legal penalties. Regular deworming is also recommended. Always wash your hands after touching pets, playing, cleaning them, or handling their waste—especially before eating. Pets should also be registered with local authorities or licensed veterinary clinics for proper welfare.
In Bangkok, pet registration and microchipping will soon be mandatory under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Animal Control Ordinance B.E. 2567 (2024), effective January 10, 2026. Owners must microchip, register, and obtain ID cards for dogs and cats within 120 days of birth or within 30 days of acquisition. The goal is to reduce stray populations and promote responsible pet ownership.
To love animals is to love them responsibly.
On World Rabies Day, September 28, let’s raise awareness and prevent rabies together with the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, under the theme: “Don’t wait! Act together to stop rabies.”
Story by: Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President, RISC
References:
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Animal Control Ordinance B.E. 2567 (2024)
Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University: Zoonoses – Diseases Transmissible from Animals and Humans
Rabies Act B.E. 2535 (1992), Royal Gazette Vol. 109, Part 9
Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015), Royal Gazette Vol. 132, Part 14K
Thai Rabies Surveillance System (Thai Rabies Net): http://www.thairabies.net/trn/