The Department of Disease Control has reported the first case of a rabies fatality this year in Rayong province. The victim died two days after developing rabies-related symptoms.
The department director-general, Dr Monthien Khanasawat, said today that the victim, a 36-year-old Burmese man was bitten by a stray puppy in December and he did not clean the bite wound or see a doctor for vaccination.
He also said that, since the incident, the puppy has not been seen again and it cannot not be determined whether it was the animal infected with rabies.
On January 23, the victim developed chest pain, dizziness and breathing difficulties after having drunk a glass of water.
According to the Department of Disease Control, seven people died of rabies last year in Chon Buri, Tak, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chachoengsao and Rayong provinces.
None of them saw a doctor after being bitten by dogs and were not given the vaccination, said Dr Monthien.
He said that the incubation period for rabies is normally between two weeks and two months but, in some rare cases, it may take about a year, depending on the location of the bite wound and the volume of rabies virus which enters the body via the infected animal’s saliva.
