Jabs for grieving family after prized pet pig dies from rabies

Nong Fai the pig was the pet of the Nuphonkrang family in rural Nakhon Ratchasima province, but died last week of rabies. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Officials have vaccinated 19 members of a family who lived under the same roof as a pig which later died of rabies.

Their neighbours in Moo 7 of Bueng Tako village in Muang district were told not to panic as livestock officials have taken strict preventive measures, which include vaccinating all 200 dogs and cats in the neighbourhood, Nakhon Ratchasima livestock official Photsawi Somchai said Monday.

While the latest case triggered fresh worries in Nakhon Ratchasima, one of 24 provinces declared part of the epidemic, pig owner Phin Nuphonkrang said she was not afraid that she might have contracted the disease, just "very sad about the death of 'Nong Fai'", the name of the pet pig.

Nong Fai, who was treated as one of the family, died after she was bitten by a stray dog on March 29.

Nobody was aware the dog had rabies until April 12 when her pig developed strange symptoms. She would not eat and was suffering from convulsions.

Her family had no idea how to help her. The six-month-old died the following day.

"The whole family was plunged into grief," Ms Phin, 75, said.

They reported the death to livestock officials who confirmed the pig was killed by rabies, following a lab test.

All family members were advised to receive vaccinations against the disease as the pig usually slept in the house.

"I laid a bed sheet for her every night," Ms Phin said.

Family members said the rabid stray dog had been chased into a wood near the village after the attack. Nobody has seen it since.

So far there have been 49 dogs and cats in 14 districts of Nakhon Ratchasima which have contracted rabies, Mr Photsawi said.

The province houses a total of 470,000 dogs and cats. On average, there is one case of rabies for every 10,000 animals, she said.

The officials say the situation is under control and have assured locals that pork sold in markets is safe to eat.

The rabies epidemic in 24 provinces erupted amid doubts over irregularities in the rabies vaccine procurement at the Department of Livestock Development.

So far the disease has led to eight human deaths in eight provinces.