Animal control officials in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district have locked down the Koh Sai community for a month after an outbreak of rabies was detected in Village 7, Mae Sai Subdistrict, Mae Sai District.

The Mae Sai District Livestock Office, Chiang Rai Province, reported that two dogs have already died from rabies since August 30, 2024, and they ordered the lockdown to the spread spread of the disease.

Per their authority under Section 20 of the said Act, a temporary outbreak zone for dog rabies has been declared from the Thai-Myanmar border, from the north to the west. The south to Ban Pa Mueat, Village No. 9, Tambon Wiang Pang Kham, Amphoe Mae Sai, and the east to Ban Wiang Hom, Village No. 4, Tambon Mae Sai, Amphoe Mae Sai.

From August 30 to September 28, 2024, it is prohibited to move dogs and cats or their carcasses into, out of, through or within the temporary epidemic zone unless permission is received in writing from the veterinarian responsible for that zone.

According to Section 65 of the said Act, if violated, the punishment will be imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht or both.

Mae Sai District Livestock officials told reporters that approximately 25 people have been bitten by dogs in Mae Sai city over the past year. The lockdown comes after a dog that bit about 2 people became sick and died. Testing found the dog had the rabies virus.

The bitten victims were put in a risk group and had to undergo a series of painful shots to prevent the disease from taking hold.

The Mae Sai Municipality has since announced a temporary epidemic zone covering the entire area. Therefore, to prevent the spread of the disease, pet owners have been ordered to vaccinate their dogs and cats.

Starting September 1, dog, cat, and rabbit owners can get free rabies shots for their pets. According to the Mae Sai District Livestock Office, more than 2,284 pets needed to be vaccinated.