The office of livestock in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Chalerm Prakiat district has declared one community a rabies control zone and begun vaccinating animals after a stray dog that bit a baby tested positive for the virus.
Moo 2 community in tambon Tang Poon is now under rabies control measures after the Veterinary Research and Development Centre (South Region) confirmed the dog had been infected.
The precautionary measures were put in place after a 19-day-old infant in the village was bitten by the dog, which was later captured, examined and tested.
The girl is now being treated at Maharat Hospital's intensive care unit.
Thanawat Phansanit, from the provincial livestock office, said officials had been sent into the community to vaccinate pets and other animals, adding at least 80% of the animals had to be vaccinated.
Saroj Theerakul, a public health official, said villagers were being interviewed to assess the situation.
He said about 26 people including the infant, her family and rescue workers were placed in an at-risk group as they came into contact with the girl or the dog.
Anyone who was bitten or scratched by the dog, or had any cuts or wounds licked by it, would immediately require jabs.
Chalerm Prakiat district chief Ayasit Srisuwan held a meeting yesterday to discuss stepping up measures to prevent the possible spread of rabies.
