Citizens risk highly at being scratched or bitten by dogs in every summer.
There are over 700 thousand dogs fed in Beijing, according to statistics from relevant authorities. With hot summer approaching, people will wear fewer clothes and spend more time outdoors walking their dogs, and children on vacation will stay at home longer than usual, leading to higher possibilities of being scratched or bitten by dogs. Statistics show that from January 2008 to April 2008, there are up to 63, 519 patients vaccinated at our vaccination clinics, an increase of 24.1% compared to the same period last year (51,198). By analyzing historical statistics, it is noted that the number of injuries caused by animals increases dramatically in every June, reaching peaks in July and August. Therefore, it is essential for health authorities to alert citizens to prevent Rabies in every summer.
As known to all, the mortality of Rabies is almost 100% and there is still no way to cure this disease. Currently the most effective method for preventing Rabies is to get vaccinated. Today, it is known to all that they should get vaccinated immediately after being scratched or bitten by dogs; however this is relatively passive. Now we strongly recommend that those who feed and frequently touch dogs should be vaccinated in advance. By doing this, there’s no need for them to be worried and scared, even if after they were injured by dogs, because antibodies will protect them. This “preventive vaccination” is an excellent way to prevent Rabies, but most people are not willing to be vaccinated voluntarily so far.
At present, 24-hour vaccination service is available in 93 Rabies vaccination clinics across 18 districts of Beijing. After vaccination, the vaccinee should be given a blood test to see whether antibodies have been generated, in his/her serum, which, if the vaccinee was injured by a dog, would protect him/her from the fatal Rabies virus.
The most important way to protect you from Rabies, however, is to keep alert all the time. Moreover, dog owners shall feed their pets in a civilized way, vaccinating dogs on a regular basis, keeping a certain distance from dogs, and putting leashes on dogs when walking them, so that they cannot hurt people. People who have not been injected with vaccine, if hurt by dogs, have to be vaccinated immediately to prevent Rabies.
Based on the present 93 vaccination clinics, it is determined for convenience to citizens to increase the density of Rabies vaccination clinics this year by building 19 more clinics in suburban areas and nearby counties and districts. If you want detailed addresses of the above vaccination clinics, please call Beijing Public Health Hotline 12320 for information.