Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 South China Morning Post 16th March 2005 by Mulan He A surge in rabies cases has prompted authorities in Guangdong to order the culling within 2.5km of a confirmed infection in people or animals. A total of 244 people in the province were infected with the disease last year, a 141 per cent increase over 2003. " The increase in pet ownership in Guangdong's urban and rural areas was the main cause of the rapid rise in rabies cases, " Guangdong Department of Health spokesman Feng Shaomin told the province's New Express newspaper. Nearly 60,000 dogs had been put down in western Guangdong, an area with a long-standing rabies problem where farmers habitually keep guard dogs but have been unwilling to pay for vaccinations. Mr Feng said local governments should tighten regulations to force owners to vaccinate their pets. Some pet owners have criticised the provincial government's crackdown. " Rabies is dangerous, but the disease is not an excuse to kill pets, " said an owner of the Guangzhou Taojin Pet Hospital. " Instead of exterminating the animals, the government should come up with some more viable solutions. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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