Stray dogs pose biggest rabies threat to Beijing

August 12, 2006

(Xinhua)

2006-08-12

Beijing is cleaning up its dog breeding farms in the wake of several rabies

outbreaks in other parts of the country and officials say stray dogs pose

the greatest threat of rabies in the capital.

The Beijing Municipal Agriculture Bureau will inspect the city's dog

breeders and check the registration of pet dogs, in an effort to remove

potential risks of a rabies outbreak.

" Stray animals are becoming the biggest threat of rabies outbreak because we

cannot guarantee that they have been vaccinated, " an official with the

farming and veterinary department said.

The public security department will adopt homeless animals and deal with

them after confirming they are stray. But the official did not say what will

be done with the animals.

The bureau is also warning pet owners who have not yet registered their dogs

that their pets must be vaccinated against rabies.

Dog breeding farms are required to be at least 500 meters from residential

areas and water sources and carry out strict vaccination measures.

Rabies, often spread by dog bites, attacks the nervous system and is fatal

in humans if not treated prior to the on-set of symptoms.

Mouding County in southwest China's Yunnan Province reported the deaths of

three people from rabies in July. They died within ten days of being bitten

even though they received treatment. The outraged community slaughtered

50,000 dogs after the deaths were reported.

The Beijing municipal government requires rabies cases or suspected rabies

cases to be immediately reported to the health department.

More than 60,000 people have been bitten or scratched by dogs or cats in

Beijing so far this year. One rabies death occurred in Beijing but the

authorities found that the person, who did not seek treatment, was bitten by

a sick dog outside the city.

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