The Livestock Development Department’s office in Khon Kaen province has issued an advisory against eating raw beef from unlicensed slaughter houses, after several people have been diagnosed with rabies after having eaten raw meat from cattle which had been bitten by rabid dogs.
The office also imposed a ban on the movement of dogs, cats and cattle out of Kranuan sub-district of Sam Sung district until February 22nd. Violators may face imprisonment for up to two years and/or a fine of 40,000 baht if convicted.
Public health and livestock officials have administered anti-rabies vaccine to 276 people who are at risk of infection and 39 dogs and cats. Immunity boosting vaccines have also been administered to 2,000 domesticated animals and 16 dogs have been quarantined for observation.
Charnprasert Polasa, the provincial livestock chief, said that the rabid dogs had bitten cattle raised by villagers, adding that the cattle were slaughtered in an unlicensed abattoir and the beef was sold in the market.
He advised people in the province to buy meat that comes from licenced abattoirs and to refrain from eating raw beef.
