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EDITORIAL: Panic will
not help curb rabies
The nation¡¦s first rabies outbreak in more than 50 years has sparked a public
scare and started a trend in which pet dogs and cats are being abandoned. The
authorities should educate the public and eliminate ignorance about rabies.
All the confirmed cases of rabies found so far ¡X 36 as of yesterday ¡X have been
in ferret-badgers and Asian house shrews, and the affected regions are in the
mountain areas of seven central and southern cities and counties.
It is understandable that people are worried about the reappearance of rabies.
However, information from the Central Epidemic Command Center showed that no
cats or dogs have been infected, and the center is working hard to obtain more
vaccines for animals. The stockpile is estimated to reach 1.71 million doses by
the end of October.
Vaccinating wild animals, and cats and dogs, including strays, is crucial to
prevent the further spread of the disease. The center should also carry out its
promise to raise the vaccination rates for cats and dogs from 40 percent to 60
or 70 percent.
With a lack of experience in dealing with rabies, the government must enhance
coordination between different agencies to contain the outbreak, and be wary of
cross-species infections, especially to dogs and cats. This would dramatically
increase the threat to humans.
While the authorities are urging the public to stay away from strays and to
avoid touching wild animals, taking drastic measures against animals is the last
thing the nation needs in the fight against rabies.
Last week, Greater Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (J§Ó±j) announced that the city, where
the first confirmed rabies case was found, will suspend the adoption of cats and
dogs from local animal shelters. The city will also ban any public pet adoption
activities until the rabies outbreak is contained.
The move drew immediate criticism from animal rights groups for doing little to
prevent rabies while sacrificing animals¡¦ rights.
Suspending adoption is irresponsible and will not stop rabies from spreading.
Having rabies vaccines for cats and dogs would provide basic immunity for the
animals and keep pet owners from getting infected. Stopping people from adopting
animals could lead to more strays on the streets and create more panic.
Greater Tainan, has tackled the issue differently. Greater Tainan Mayor William
Lai (¿à²M¼w) said the city will step up vaccination of strays and increase the
vaccination rate to 100 percent.
It is authorities¡¦ responsibility to send out the correct messages to the public
regarding the prevention of rabies. Over-reacting will only be counterproductive
to anti-rabies efforts.
The center should set up standard procedures for all cities and counties to
follow, rather than ¡§respecting local governments¡¦ preventive measures¡¨ which
was its response to Greater Taichung¡¦s controversial move.
Anti-rabies work is a battle on a national security level, and it requires
united efforts from the central and local governments. Authorities should focus
their efforts on wiping out the virus in wild animals and tightening border
controls to prevent animals being smuggled into Taiwan, while educating the
public to get their pets vaccinated without panicking over the virus.
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