SUCCESSES AND FAILURES IN RABIES ELIMINATION STORIES IN THAILAND

Abstract

Abstract— Due to many efforts in order to eliminate rabies death in Thailand from 1980 up to now. Rabies human death reduced from 370 to the lowest point at 5 cases per year in 2015. This study aimed to find a proper solution that rabies elimination can be done by reviewing epidemiological reports, patient investigation report from Department of disease control, Ministry of Public Health since 1980 to 2018. Finding that successes was not accomplished because the goal was to eliminate human rabies death to zero and there was a burst of rabies death up to 12 cases in 2018 In that year due to reduction of dog vaccination and shortage of rabies vaccines, there wereproblems. The mistake of local government policy that was noted by The Office of Auditor General that Local Government cannot use their own budget to buy dog vaccine. In conclusion, this study proved that there are many rabid dogs in those provinces, and Thailand are still an epidemic country of rabies and cannot declare rabies free zone.