Battling Rabies Epidemic: 7 people die from disease in Thailand in 2018

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Thailand is battling to halt the spread of a rabies epidemic, which has already claimed seven lives. The disease is most often caught from a bite by an infected animal. Stray cats and dogs are being rounded up, but the authorities have huge numbers to cope with. From Bangkok, Martin Lowe reports.

This is the front line in the fight against Thailand's rabies epidemic; one of a number of mobile units in the capital Bangkok, where vets are vaccinating stray cats and dogs as well as domestic pets brought here by their owners.

Some animals are also being steralized to prevent breeding.

Rabies causes inflammation of the brain, and in humans is almost always fatal.

In Thailand, seven people - including two children – have died after being infected in the first 76 days of the year – that's more than half the entire 2017 total. All were thought to have been bitten by stray animals.

Bangkok is one of 39 Thai provinces that have been declared Rabies Epidemic Zones.

DR. VIRIYA KAEWTHONG, DIRECTOR GENERAL BUREAU OF DISEASE CONTROL, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE "People need to be aware of the situation, but should not panic. Our advice is to keep away from animals you don't know."

Already 400 animals have been confirmed to have rabies, a disease readily passed to people through a bite or saliva. Many owners know the need for vaccination but say they can't afford the cost.

DOG OWNER "I've come here because it's free, I don't have money."

MARTIN LOWE BANGKOK Thailand has huge numbers of stray dogs. One charity, the Soi Dog Foundation, estimates as many as eight million across the country. Authorities are now looking at an ongoing vaccination program.

Globally, there are thousands of rabies deaths each year, with 95 percent of fatalities occurring in Africa and Asia. Thailand suffered a major rabies outbreak in 1980 that resulted in 370 deaths - but in recent years the number of victims has been low. It's hoped swift action now can halt further spread of the disease. Martin Lowe CGTN Bangkok.