Investigation on a Dog Rabies Case and Rabid Dog Meat Consumption, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, 2011

Abstract

In March 2011, public fear on health risk of rabid dog meat consumption was emerged in Nakhon Phanom Province. Investigation was conducted to identify extent of exposure and recommendation for rabies prevention. We surveyed in affected villages to find out rabies cases and exposed contacts among dogs, cats and humans. Persons who had contacted with the rabid dog, its carcass or meat were interviewed about their contacts, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards rabies. The survey revealed that three owned dogs had been bitten by the rabid dog and 58 persons contacted it. Among the contact persons, 11.3% (bitten by the rabid dog, contact with carcass or saliva, butchered or cooked) and 19.0% (contacted dogs bitten by the rabid dog) fit in the WHO criteria as exposed and possible exposed persons respectively. Thirty two persons who ate well cooked meat of the rabid dog were classified as non-exposed persons. One third of the contact persons did not know about rabies. Persons who ate rabid dog meat had less knowledge on rabies reservoir and transmission compared with those did not eat (P-value <0.05). Contact persons and dogs were provided with post-exposure vaccination; none of them developed rabies. Several types of exposure, except ingesting well cooked meat, posed risk of rabies and local public should be educated about these for better personal protective practices.