"Although Hong Kong has done well in rabies control, people
should have their dogs, older than five months, licensed and
vaccinated against the disease," Hong Kong's health chief said
Wednesday.
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow urged Hong Kong
citizens to be alert against the deadly disease, as hundreds cases
of rabies on the Chinese mainland had made local citizens worry
about the possible outbreaks of rabies in Hong Kong.
Chow said Hong Kong's rabies-free status is maintained by a
well-established control system that requires all dogs over five
months old to be licensed and vaccinated.
Meanwhile, a stringent import control and quarantine system is
in place to prevent importation of the disease. Countries are
classified into three categories according to their rabies risk.
Dogs and cats from high-risk countries are subject to four months
quarantine.
According to record, the last animal rabies case in Hong Kong
was reported in 1987, and the last human case was reported in 2001,
but the patient was infected abroad.
(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2006)