[A resident of Fenggang Village, Fangshan Township, Pingtung County was bitten by a badger on the evening of March 17, 2025. The badger was tested positive for rabies, the third case in Hengchun Peninsula this year. The Pingtung County Government will add rabies vaccination sessions for dogs and cats in Fangshan Township on March 31, 2025.] (Image credit: Pingtung County Animal Quarantine Station)

The Pingtung County Animal Quarantine Station issued a press release today stating that Fenggang Village, Fangshan Township reported on the evening of the 17th that a resident was bitten by a badger, and the badger was tested positive for rabies. This is the second case of wild animal rabies in Fangshan Township this year and the third case on the Hengchun Peninsula this year. The county government will add rabies vaccination sessions in Fangshan Township on March 31, and calls on owners to bring their dogs and cats for vaccination.

The Animal Prevention and Control Center stated that it will cooperate with the Fangshan Township Office to provide free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the 31st at the Fenggang Senior Activity Center, and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the same day at the Fangshan Office of the Fangshan Farmers Association. Residents of Fangshan Township and surrounding towns must seize the opportunity to bring their dogs and cats to get supplemental rabies vaccinations to jointly protect the safety of their families and furry friends.

The Animal Health and Prevention Center reminds that there are 13 townships in Pingtung County that are rabies-positive areas, and 7 of them have confirmed cases of people being scratched and bitten by rabid ferret badgers. If the public is accidentally scratched and bitten by a suspected rabid animal, they should rinse with soap and water and disinfect the wound with iodine, then seek medical attention as soon as possible, and actively inform the doctor to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. If dead ferret badgers, white-nosed mongooses, crab-eating mongooses and other carnivorous wild animals are found, they can be reported to the Animal Health and Prevention Center for testing. For related information, please call 08-7224109, or visit the “Pingtung County Animal Health and Prevention Center Official Website – Rabies” for inquiries.

The Animal and Plant Protection Agency mentioned that the rabies epidemic in wild animals has continued to spread in recent years. Rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease with a mortality rate of 100%. The agency called on the public to be vigilant and abide by the “two no’s and one must” principle, not to contact wild animals, not to abandon pets, and to take dogs, cats and carnivores for rabies vaccination every year to prevent rabies together. Those who fail to complete rabies vaccination for dogs and cats in accordance with regulations will be fined NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 in accordance with the “Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Regulations.”

Fangshan Township detected rabies in wild animals for the first time on the 12th The Animal Prevention and Control Station has added free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the 28th at the Lion Gathering Hall in Shizi Township, and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jiahe Fude Palace in Fangshan Township; and will start a total of 14 free rabies vaccinations in Shizi Township in early April.