Khon Kaen: Khon Kaen Province found a cow infected with rabies. The Department of Livestock has announced a ban on eating raw meat from cows slaughtered without going through a slaughterhouse, which risks infection. The movement of beef cattle, dogs, cats, or animal carcasses in and out of or through temporary epidemic zones is prohibited unless permission is obtained.
According to Thai News Agency, the Sam Sung District Livestock Office in Khon Kaen Province has announced the temporary epidemic zone for rabies. In Village No. 3, Ban Khok Sung, Tambon Kranuan, Amphoe Cham Sung, Khon Kaen Province, the office found beef cattle and dogs infected with rabies, which has a tendency to spread to other areas. The epidemic zones for beef cattle, dogs, and cats include Tambon Kranuan, Tambon Huai Toei, Ban Non, and Tambon Du Kham, Sam Sung District, Khon Kaen Province, and neighboring provinces such as Tambon Suea Tao, Amphoe Chiang Yuen, and Amphoe Chom Chuen, Maha Sarakham Province. The movement of these animals or
their carcasses in or out of or through the temporary epidemic zone is prohibited unless written permission is obtained from the area’s responsible veterinarian.
While the Public Health Office of Khon Kaen Province has been proactive, visiting the area to screen people at risk for rabies vaccinations for 276 individuals, surveying pets in Sam Sung District, and administering rabies vaccines. They brought in 36 dogs and 3 cats, all of which had contact with infected animals, for booster vaccinations, and approximately 2,000 pets received booster shots. Additionally, 16 dogs have been quarantined for observation at the Sam Sung Wanaram Forest Temple, and so far, no rabies cases have been found.
The origin of this epidemic is traced to a rabid dog from outside the area that bit a cow tied in a pen, and subsequently, the villager consumed the cow’s meat. The livestock officer sent the cow’s head for laboratory testing, which confirmed the presence of rabies. In response, comprehensive disease control and preven
tion measures were implemented to prevent further outbreaks. The public is reminded not to consume raw beef from uncertified sources, urging them to purchase only from certified slaughterhouses.
