Rabies outbreak further spreads in Taiwan

Three ferret-badgers from Taiwan's southern county of Chiayi have been tested positive for rabies, making Chiayi the island's seventh city or county to report rabies infections since last month, local authorities announced Friday. Anti-epidemic measures have been launched immediately in Chiayi, including vaccinating animals, seizing stray dogs and cats, distributing rodenticide and disinfecting public areas, the county authorities said. Taiwan started reporting rabies cases last month, and before Friday infections had been reported in six counties and cities, namely Nantou, Yunlin, Taitung, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung. No humans or dogs have yet been involved in the outbreak. Before last month, Taiwan had been rabies-free since 1959.