Two villages in the Chuen Chom district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Maha Sarakham have been declared rabies control areas, after a number of people and animals were attacked by rabid dogs.

According to Vorakorn Inthapaet, the provincial livestock official in Maha Sarakham, Ban Nong Wa in Chuen Chom sub-district and Ban Kam Kerng in Kut Praduk sub-district have been declared rabies control areas from last week until February 26^th.

He said that about 200 dogs and cats, accounting for 95% of the population in the two villages, have been vaccinated, adding that other dogs and cats were sterilised.

In Ban Nong Wa, he said that a rabid dog had bitten six people. 11 other people were also exposed to the animal. In Ban Kam Kerng, a man was bitten and 25 other people were exposed to the rabid dog, adding that all the people who were bitten or exposed have been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Taweechai Visanuyothin, director of Disease Prevention and Control Office 9, based in Nakhon Ratchasima province, disclosed that 10 rabid animals were found between October 1^st last year and February 6th in Buri Ram and Surin provinces. 74 people were exposed to the animals, all of whom have been vaccinated.