China - Rabies is spreading in cities - travellers are encouraged to get vaccinated

[Gert van der Hoek]

machinetranslation

Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Rabies is spreading rapidly in China's major cities as it is becoming increasingly more popular to own a dog. Now, tourists and travellers are encouraged to get vaccinated against the deadly viral disease.

Published September 28, 2011

Slavering beasts with crazy eyes. So, rabid dogs portrayed in horror movies. But equally dangerous, small cute dogs to be indoors.

A western family living in Shanghai bought a few years ago a puppy in a pet store. After ten months the father became ill and was diagnosed to have rabies. The puppy, apparently healthy, had not bitten his owner - just played and licked his face. The mother and daughter survived when they were vaccinated. His father died shortly after.

3000 deaths per year
Die every year up to 3000 people from rabies in China, almost all infected dogs. And as more and more families get dog - which is a status symbol for the growing middle class - also increases the number of cases of rabies, especially in East Coast cities.

At the Shanghai Institute of Communicable Diseases treated 40,000 people for dog bites in the first half, which is 40 percent more than the same period last year. The number of deaths in the city reported by China Daily to have grown from one person last year to six so far this year.

Dr Mary Peng, who runs the International Center for Veterinary Services in Beijing, explains that rabies today is the most common lethal infectious disease in China.

- More and more people purchase or adopt dogs, but they lack knowledge about what it means to care for a pet. It is very unfortunate, she said to TT.

Although the law states that all dogs in China must be registered and vaccinated, only ten percent of the country's 75 million dogs that receive protection. To register a dog is considered expensive, and the vaccine is not available in conventional veterinarians or veterinary clinics, but only in the state special rabies hospital.

"Genocide in the animals'
Now and then performed desperate mass killing of dogs across China to stop the spread of rabies. Just two years ago, were clubbed to death 50,000 dogs in Mouding in southwestern China, which Mary Peng condemns as "genocide of animals."

As a tourist, or moved to China should take the same precautions when traveling to countries with malaria or the risk of stomach diseases.

- Do not be afraid to travel to China. But before you go here you should definitely get vaccinated, said Mary Peng.

Nyheterna

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Rabies vaccinations are not common for human travel. Interesting recommendation......

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Evidently the government of Chengdu in Southwest China is organizing free human rabies shots.

machine translation -


Chengdu: injection of rabies vaccine available in October to 375 designated medical institutions for outpatient reimbursement
2011-09-27 14:18:20 Source: Sichuan News Network Health Channel Editor: Chia

snip

according to statistics, the number of dogs up to Chengdu 1.2 million; second dog stocking open, abandoned dog and other uncivilized behavior prevalence; Third infected dogs, detection dogs infected in 2010 was 1.8%, indicating that there is epidemic among dogs

snip

co-ordination by the basic medical insurance fund to not more than $ 200 per person were the standard for reimbursement. The regulations come into effect on October 1.

more..

http://health.newssc.org/system/2011/09/27/013318875.shtml

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

machine translation -

Bitten by a cat died three months after the boy
Posted 2011年09月24日04:59 News in Sichuan - Chengdu Business Daily


snip

According to Zhang Xiong and his family, on June the day, Zhang Xiong home found the body of a domesticated cat fleas, it is intended to give it applicator. He had his son pick up the cat boats, he wiped its body medicine. Do not want kittens anxious, turned to bite the hands of the boats, after a long before relenting. Boats out of the hands of the blood, Zhang Xiong took him to a private clinic to Murakami dressing. At that time Dr. Zhang Xiongwen either fight rabies vaccine clinic doctor said no, he did not insist. After dressing in to the boats, the doctor gave him a tetanus needle.

　　Late August, the summer home of the boats began to put the fear of water. "He does not take a bath all day long, even the face and legs do not want to wash one day my work back to see him really dirty, you pull him to scoop water to wash, but to his face, he said, dizziness, vomiting. "

　　"This is a sign of the onset of rabies!" Yesterday, Kwong People's Hospital of Infectious Diseases Dr Lee said, "Rabies is also known as hydrophobia, the patient can not swallow the water, resulting in fear."

　　"Since the beginning of September, he has been a high fever, but as long as the infusion to cool down again soon after stopping. To the 20 evening, his symptoms more serious." According to Zhang Xiong said, on September 20 night, boats his family to the Guang'an City People's Hospital of Infectious Diseases treatment. At 8:30 on the 21st, boats never closed his eyes.

more...

http://news.sina.com.cn/w/2011-09-24/045923209287.shtml

[Vibrant62]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

My question is, is this due to large numbers of strays within the cities, or has there been a fundamental change in the virus that makes it more transmissible? Are rodents affected and acting as vectors?

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

It is my impression that they have millions of strays.

But, of course, with China, it is hard to know what is going on. The government has a firm control on the media and prohibits any medical reporting without prior approval.

I am not even sure we know that this is rabies.

[alert]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Rabies vaccinations are not common for human travel. Interesting recommendation......

This has been through a machine translation; perhaps the original intent was to vaccinate your pets before taking them to China.

That said, I have read estimates as high as 50,000 rabies deaths a year in China, so it is clear they have a major problem. I believe the opinion is that this is mostly through dog bites, but nearly any mammal could get infected and bite a person.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

I think they mean humans. There are 2 kinds of vaccine available. Usually only people who work with animals get the shots. In the US is not recommended for the general population.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

This has been through a machine translation; perhaps the original intent was to vaccinate your pets before taking them to China.

That said, I have read estimates as high as 50,000 rabies deaths a year in China, so it is clear they have a major problem. I believe the opinion is that this is mostly through dog bites, but nearly any mammal could get infected and bite a person.

The original article is in Swedish, I can read that a little. The machinetranslation is correct, besides some usual awkward sentences. However the content is correct, also regarding the advice for travelers to get a vaccination.

[alert]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

I think they mean humans. There are 2 kinds of vaccine available. Usually only people who work with animals get the shots. In the US is not recommended for the general population.

OK. That makes sense. In the US, only a handful of human rabies are reported each year, so there is no reason to vaccinate the entire population. Obviously, in China, the situation is markedly different.

[Vibrant62]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Given that dog is on the menu in china I am surprised at a stray problem.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Given that dog is on the menu in china I am surprised at a stray problem.

Yes - apparently there is a black market in dog meat. This article even implies there is a shortage of dog as pets are being stolen for their meat.

So is the rabies problem in China human to human or maybe not rabies at all?

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE AND PICTURES ARE DISTURBING.

machine translation -

Jiajiang film under the bridge "black market" a large number of stolen dogs in Jiangsu and Anhui distribution
At 03:33 on September 8th, 2011
Source: Yangtze Evening News


Recently, a Nanjing newspaper 96096 dog public Liu to reflect: the most recent period, I often find Jiajiang Nanjing Bridge Street should be under the day was to pull into a car dog, the results of these farmers domesticated watchdog all on the table, I guess These dogs are they stolen.

These dogs are sold as far as the source of Guangzhou, Anhui Mingguang

9 o'clock yesterday morning, according to Liu's report, the reporter came to Nanjing to be days Jiajiang Bridge Street intersection with the bottom junction of Leshan. Soon she saw a truck license suspension from Anhui Jiajiang bridge open to road under bridge at the mouth of Leshan roadside stop.

I saw a lot of vehicles put on the cage, which are all dogs, all silent, all these dogs are Gouzui Department of the rope. Soon, a man thrown from the truck more than 40 frequently exudes only taste of the urine smell of urine colored adult dog, then left the scene driving a big truck. About 10 minutes, off a silver van, a man of these dogs onto the van.

Reporters asked the dogs brought in from somewhere, how close, one man said: "From all over the dog dealers Anhui Mingguang stolen, then recovered to more than 5, 6 a pound in Nanjing to sell." Reporters then asked Other dogs have fixed inspection certificate, etc., and this man called Yang Kangbing explained Anhui, Anhui Ming-income dog has been for many years, due to income and those street dogs who are old friends, so What license will not do, and they received a dog near Nanjing Huimin Bridge farmers market to sell, much of Guangzhou, the Northeast has.

Insider said: They are basically stealing these dogs

"This group of people here doing this for a number of years and they are many places in Henan and Anhui have acquired point, almost every morning there are people who drive to delivery, they not only have dogs, cats, also received pigeons, rabbits. "informed man surnamed Wang told reporters.

Wang said that these people have formed an industrial chain, and there is someone in the local population using night Zhuantou domesticated dogs, and then it was a special recycling together, and then sold to Nanjing and other places, because of the weather becoming cooler, eating dog meat more and more people, the farmers raised fewer and fewer results watchdog. "From Nanjing, Anhui, where the dog pulled it to sell more than ten dollars a pound, did not look like the boss said so little Yang, a dog they can net tens of dollars, the boss almost every day with a delivery truck to Nanjing . "

"There are farmers who keep the watchdog would be willing to sell one or two hundred, say these dogs and owners already had feelings, to what point the money no one willing to sell, do not believe you can go to rural areas to investigate, the dog is basically a steal come, but there are many people riding a motorcycle Chen Yese designed to eat this bowl of rice. "insiders said after Wang finished these:" The domestic dog, few people in rural areas will play a variety of vaccines, these dogs were kill, the dog into the market is basically not a normal inspection and quarantine. "

Blocking alarm people rescued more than 40 farm dogs

Later, seeing more than 40 dogs was a red van arrived and loading away, Mr. Liu has been reported to the police and the other to grab power company repair vehicles, immediately in front of two full body cross has been tied to the prison farm dog before the van.

A few minutes later, police special patrol unit 110 Jianye police arrived, two cars filled with more than 40 articles about the poor dog stopped. A self-proclaimed boss Yangkang Bing, face more than 110 police investigation has been reluctant to say anything, but recognition of the dog is a dog from around the trader of Anhui Ming did you get that, then recovered to more than 5 Nanjing, the value of each dog also around $ 200, but he could not always get these dogs animal inspection and quarantine certificates.

Survey also found that the police then, because some dogs dying, taking into account the animal inspection and quarantine these dogs dog traders who can not provide evidence, the police immediately decided to save these dogs, the animal rescue shelter to designated, and then on Yangkang Bing, who conduct the investigation.

There are dog sellers, said: do not eat a virus can be assured

Yesterday morning, the reporter and his party went to Shimonoseki Huimin Bridge farmers market dog slaughter area, had just entered the market, we hear the shrill yelp. There are several markets in the slaughter of live dogs. In one booth stood four large cages, each cage is closed a dozen dogs, they can turn almost packed. Two workers are using pincers to grasp a large dog cage. Correspondent observed, they caught the dog's actions are very cruel: a head with pincers clamping force pulled out, and then thrown to the ground hard. Little dog struggling workers that side of its head with a stick Bash, hit they do not struggle so far.

Reporters dressed people came forward asking to buy dog meat. One man said: "These dogs 7 yuan a catty, mainly for eating edible dogs." Correspondents expressed concern about the unknown dog, a virus, the man said: "These are where the purchases from the dog sellers to the family dog, or purchase from the edible dogs from the farm, not a virus, you can rest assured eat. "

The man also said that some of these dogs are sold to Nanjing, the hotel, there are many foreigners to sell, sell dozens a day. Although installed in a cage most of the dogs look sickly, but there are some beautiful dog hair, nails manicured, not farm raised is edible dogs out.

http://news.ifeng.com/gundong/detail_2011_09/08/9026363_0.shtml

[sharon sanders]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

machine translation -

Here some people rescued 16 dogs from a slaughterhouse to make them pets. It appears that dogs are in high demand as either food or pets. This again begs the question... How many dogs are wandering the streets biting people and transmitting rabies?

Dog who went to the slaughterhouse away stray dogs rob not the way people think
Network jellyfish jellyfish net 2011-09-29 08:02:23

snip

Day, hundreds of stray dogs that have been sent to a slaughterhouse, Ms. Wang, who arrived at the slaughterhouse on the block with the slaughter. "Go get some late, some dogs have been killed." Wang told reporters. After some intense negotiations, finally agreed to the slaughterhouse did not slaughter the 16 stray dogs give them away.

more..

http://news.shm.com.cn/2011-09/29/content_3591951.htm

[Vibrant62]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

Re-reading this thread, the first article suggests that the issue is one of pets and that 90% of them are unvaccinated against rabies. Generally in the West pet dogs dont come into frequent contact with other dogs - an odd interaction during a walk if they are allowed off leads. Whether this reflects the situation in China is another matter - but if pets are being stolen for meat, again I would find it surprising that people would permit thier dogs to run around in streets for fear of losing them.

If pet dogs are still becoming infected anyway, then perhaps the vector problem isnt dogs but another animal that is more free to roam into gardens and enclosures e.g. cats or vermin that then bite and infect the pet dogs. We dont tend to hear too much about stray cats in China (perhaps they dont have a problem here?)

I wonder if they are looking in the right places and controlling the right animals to contain the problem?

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Rabies is spreading in China's cities

From Shenzhen, Guangdong Province - machinetranslation

Depth report 4 cases of rabies this year, deaths

Ocean News Time: 2011-09-29 Source: Guangzhou Daily Author: Baowen Juan

Experts advise being bitten wash the wound immediately with running water and vaccinations

(Reporter Baowen Juan) September 28 is the 5th World Rabies Day. Yesterday, the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control in the water around the Square, Futian District, publicity and consultation activities held in the prevention of rabies. Reporters learned that exposure to rabies in Shenzhen this year up to 70,000 outpatients to 8 million people, and reported four cases of rabies cases were imported cases, all died.

People attending in August 7850
The theme of this year's World Rabies Day is "to act together to make rabies history." Communicable Disease Control Branch, Shenzhen, introduced the main Renxie Xu, is so far the only human rabies fatality rate of up to 100% of the acute infectious disease, can prevent not cure, report 4 cases of rabies this year in Shenzhen cases were imported cases, all death.

According to city statistics for Animal Health Authority, the city's pets have been vaccinated more than 110,000 dogs and cats only. Disease Control and Prevention Center of the monitoring statistics show that from January to August, the city has been exposed to rabies clinics report a dog or cat, rat and other animal bites (grasping) injury and the number of cases seeking up to 54,055 cases, 23.16% increase over last year monthly average of more than 6500 cases in August is as high as 7850 cases.

Disease control experts estimate that exposure to rabies in Shenzhen this year will reach 70,000 outpatients -8 million. All cases in 5924 cases, a person with multiple injuries, there are 5922 cases of deep wound. Among them, the injured area, mostly the lower limbs and upper limbs, accounting for 45.36% and 44.96%, followed by the head and face and trunk, accounting for 5.16% and 4.52%.


According to reports, wounding animals mainly dogs and pet dogs, were 29,549 cases and 11,162 cases, the total number of cases of 75.31%, followed by cats and rats wounding wounding 6967 cases 5133 cases and so on, wounding stray dogs 690 cases.

Was bitten on the head the most dangerous
Xie introduced the disease through animal or human saliva and close contact with sick animals, sick animals incurs bites, scratches, tongue licking, resulting in rabies virus through broken skin and mucous membranes into the body and spread. Main source of infection is a dog, but also cats, rats, bats, etc. infections, rabies cases of human to human transmission has not been found.

Rabies is generally within 3 months after exposure to the disease, the incubation period of more than 1 to 3 months short of 14 days, 1 to 2 years long, the length of the incubation period varies with the injury site, extent and whether patients with other diseases . "In general, head injuries more serious than other injuries, time of onset will be faster." Xie said, because the rabies virus enters the body faster the central nervous system, there is no way all of the rabies vaccine into the body, According to reports, the first symptoms of rabies there is no specific, more performance for the respiratory system, digestive system, central nervous system symptoms, excitement, fear, afraid of the water, sensitive to light, afraid of the wind, etc., the usual cause of death was respiratory failure.

Rabies is a major source of infection of human rabies. Thus, immunization of dogs, rabies kill, wild dogs, is the most effective measures to prevent rabies. "The family kept pet dogs and cats, it is best to give these cats and dogs vaccinated each year, year after year to be playing." Xie said, in addition to the need to strengthen the management of domesticated dogs, other than generally vaccinated, the management of stray dogs is a major problem.

Prevention tips: pet people can be vaccinated
Xie pointed out that people avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals, especially away from stray dogs, not to tease them. Once the animal bites, scratches, wounds promptly after exposure to the proper handling and protective immunity is the key. "Immediately after the injury should first close to 20% with a flow of water or soapy water, wash the wound thoroughly for at least 20 minutes, which is the most important yet most neglected by the public." Mahan Wu, said CDC deputy director of the city, followed as soon as possible to a nearby hospital, further treatment of wounds and injection of rabies vaccine should not be wound their treatment, suture or dressing, "the principle of post-exposure immunization is the sooner the better, for in vaccinated against rabies within 24 hours."

At present, Shenzhen, a total 44 points rabies vaccination, the majority of medical institutions in the emergency department. Xie pointed out that, in addition to injection of rabies vaccine, but also need around the wound infiltration injection of anti-rabies serum or human rabies immune globulin.
Xie introduction, the family who have cats or dogs vaccinated against rabies can go, "an injection pipe at least a year, a shot in the protection period, but two injections need to resort to strengthen." But had been exposed period of time were also vaccinated against rabies without vaccination according to vaccination.

Guangzhou Daily