The Rabies Prevention and the Risk Management in Japan

Japan has been rabies-free since 1957, except an imported human rabies case in 1970. However, two imported rabies cases of human bitten by dog in the Philippines were reported in November, 2006. Increased travel to exotic destinations around the world is increasing the risk of infectious diseases. Lack of awareness of its serious infectiousness is due to its rarity, leaving people at risk and emphasizing the need for measures in risk management. This age of global due to internationalization of distribution forms has also been increased the potential risk of the imported rabies of not only human but also animals by the highly diverse routes of introduction. Any inappropriate public health response or delay at an early stage of rabies cases, even those in doubt, leads to unnecessary, excessive social anxiety. It is thus important to put effective measures in place while continuously upgrading existing measures.