Report: Pinoy in Taiwan succumbs to rabies

A Filipino factory worker in Taiwan who was suffering from rabies died in a hospital in Southern Taiwan Sunday, Taiwanese health authorities said.

Taiwan's Central News Agency quoted Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw as saying the Filipino died in a hospital in Pingtung County.

While the report did not name the Filipino, it described him as 31 years old, and a factory worker who contracted rabies in the Philippines before arriving in Taiwan.

The CNA report added the man had been treated in an intensive care ward before he died.

Chou said the Filipino's body was cremated as required by law, as rabies is considered a class-one notifiable disease and almost 100-percent fatal in Taiwan.

An initial investigation by the CDC showed the worker was bitten by a dog in the Philippines last March 10. He arrived in Taiwan April 7.

The Filipino saw a doctor after falling ill last May 4, and his health deteriorated quickly. Tests conducted May 11 indicated he was suffering from rabies.

First imported rabies case

The CNA report said the Filipino's case was the first imported rabies case in Taiwan this year.

Before this case, there had been no reported domestic human case since 1959, and no domestic animal cases since 1961.

However, Taiwan reported one imported rabies case each in 2002 and 2012. The CDC said the patients in both cases contracted the disease in China. — BM, GMA News

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