Recently, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine in Taiwan announced that a ferret badger found dead in Gongguan Township, Miaoli County, tested positive for rabies. Fortunately, no human was bitten. In response, the Miaoli County Animal Protection and Disease Control Center has collaborated with the Gongguan Township Office to enhance preventive measures from April 1 to April 11. These measures include increased vaccination sessions for dogs and cats and the capture and removal of stray animals.
The first case of rabies in a ferret badger in Gongguan Township was reported on March 14, 2023. The Miaoli County government received a report of a dead ferret badger on County Road 119A in Renan Village, which was confirmed positive for rabies on March 29. No human exposure was reported.
Miaoli County has recorded a total of 14 rabies cases since the first was discovered in March 2023. These cases are distributed across several townships: Zhuolan (4 cases), Tai'an (3 cases), Nanzhuang (1 case), Dahu (4 cases), Sanyi (1 case), and Gongguan (1 case). All cases are currently limited to ferret badgers.
The Animal Protection and Disease Control Center urges the public to adhere to the "Two Don'ts and One Must" principle: do not abandon pets, do not contact or capture wild animals, and ensure that dogs, cats, and other carnivorous animals are vaccinated against rabies annually. Failure to comply may result in fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 under the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases. If bitten by a wild or stray animal, individuals should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, disinfect with iodine or 70% alcohol, and seek medical attention immediately.
