Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 53, 93-97, 2000
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Review
Rabies Control in Japan
Naohide Takayama*
Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital
Honkomagome 3-18-22, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan
(Received May 22, 2000. Accepted June 28, 2000)
SUMMARYFIn 1957 Japan succeeded in eradicating rabies,
which had been endemic since the 18th century, due to the registration
and confinement of family dogs, the elimination of stray dogs,
and the compulsory vaccination of dogs. At present, however, vaccination
coverage of family dogs is far lower than the required level of
70%. The
facilities that are presently able to investigate rabies are limited
in number. In addition, few medical institutions keep rabies vaccine
in stock or offer postexposure vaccination to travelers bitten
by animals in rabies endemic areas. Moreover, rabies immunoglobulin
(RIG) cannot be given to such individuals because RIG is not produced
at present in Japan, nor is it authorized to be imported. To keep
Japan free from any rabies deaths, an improvement in vaccination
coverage among dogs and in the supply of postexposure prophylaxis
is required, and the establishment of a rabies surveillance system
is also considered to be essential.
* Corresponding author: Tel: +81-3-3823-2101, Fax: +81-3-3824-1552,
E-mail: takyamnd-k@komagome-hospital.bunkyo.tokyo.jp
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