Vaccination of domestic dogs against rabies as required by law. After elementary school students were bitten by an unvaccinated dog in Gunma Prefecture, various posts were made on social media.



``Vaccinations are mandatory for all dog owners.'' `


`You don't have to vaccinate your dog every year.''



Among these posts are incorrect statements such as the fact that vaccinations affect a dog's lifespan.



We asked experts why vaccinations are necessary.

An unvaccinated dog...

On the 7th of this month, a total of 12 people, including 9 elementary school students, were bitten one after another by a medium-sized dog kept in the neighborhood in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture.

Park where the scene took place

There were many posts about rabies on social media because the owner had not vaccinated the dog against rabies.



While posts called for rabies vaccination, saying ``rabies vaccination is the duty of all dog owners,'' false information about rabies such as ``Dog vaccinations are not necessary'' was also spread.

Based on the Rabies Prevention Act, dog owners are required to register their dogs with the municipality where they live and have them vaccinated against rabies every year.


Violations are subject to a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

Vaccination rate decreased to 70%

Vaccinations are required by law to prevent the outbreak and spread of rabies.


However, the vaccination rate is on the decline.

It had remained at almost 100% since 1985, when the vaccination interval changed from once every six months to once a year, but it started to decrease around 1996 and fell below 80% in 2000.



In fiscal 2022, of the 6,067,716 dogs registered in municipalities across the country, 4,299,587 were vaccinated, resulting in a vaccination rate of only 70.9%.

Vaccination situation

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that vaccination rates be maintained at 70% or higher to prevent the spread of rabies.



Regarding the reason behind the decline in vaccination rates, Professor Naoto Ito of Gifu University's Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Laboratory, which researches rabies vaccines, says that the fear of rabies may not be understood.

Professor Naoto Ito of Gifu University


: ``I believe that people's sense of crisis is gradually decreasing, largely because rabies has not been reported in Japan for many years. I think there's a part of it that doesn't quite convey the tragedy of the situation."

Furthermore, in recent years, the number of dogs kept indoors has increased, and owners may think that it is okay to not vaccinate them.

Mortality rate is almost 100% What is rabies?

What kind of disease is rabies, the misery of which has not been communicated?

rabies virus

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, rabies is transmitted to humans when a person is bitten by an infected mammal, such as a dog, cat, or bat, and the virus in the saliva enters the body through the wound.



The incubation period is about one to three months, and once symptoms develop, there is no effective treatment, and almost all patients die from symptoms such as confusion, convulsions, and breathing problems.



There has been no reported case of rabies in a person bitten by a dog in Japan since 1956.



Meanwhile, according to the WHO, 59,000 people (2017 estimate) die annually overseas in more than 150 countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, and 99% of these deaths are thought to be caused by rabies-infected dogs. Masu.

Dog infected with rabies (Philippines)

Akira Nishizono, director of the Glocal Infectious Disease Research Center at Oita University, who is involved in rabies research and support in the Philippines and other countries, points out that if the vaccination rate declines, there is a risk that the spread will not be contained if an outbreak occurs in the country. To do.

Director Akira Nishizono, Oita University


: ``As I have seen up close in the Philippines, there is no doubt that when rabies develops, it is almost 100% fatal for both humans and dogs.Japan has had a rare success in eliminating rabies.'' However, since rabies has not occurred in Japan for 70 years, it does not mean that rabies will not occur in the future, but it is widely seen overseas, and no one can guarantee that. There is a possibility that animals carrying the rabies virus will enter the country. Although it appears to be quite low, if the vaccination rate drops further, there is a risk that we will not be able to contain the spread if an outbreak occurs in Japan."

Professor Ito of Gifu University also points out that the risk of infection spreading varies depending on the region in Japan.

Professor Ito of Gifu University


: ``We are aware that there are still areas in Japan where there are many stray dogs.The vaccination rate also varies from municipality to municipality, and in some cases it is in the 50% range, so if you look at each region, the infection is spreading.'' We believe that some areas are at higher risk than others.”

Misinformation on SNS...

On the other hand, false information such



as ``Rabies vaccine affects the lifespan of pet dogs''


and ``Rabies can be cured by eating raw red beans, so vaccination is not necessary'' is also



being spread on social media, some of which has been viewed more than 700,000 times. There were also some things.



Regarding this, Center Director Nishizono denies both information, calling it baseless.

(Regarding lifespan)


"There is no scientific data that shows that vaccines affect a dog's lifespan, such as shortening their lifespan. On the other hand, there have been reports of side effects (such as anaphylaxis) regarding vaccines in Japan. Analyzing the data, the number of cases per 100,000 vaccinations is around 0.7, which shows that it is highly safe compared to vaccines from overseas.''

(About raw azuki beans)


``A variety of substances have been discovered that can suppress the proliferation of viruses at the laboratory level, and the components extracted from azuki beans are one of them.However, if symptoms of rabies appear, The virus multiplies so fast and so violently that there is no way to suppress it.Even if we suppress the multiplication of the virus, it will not suppress the disease of rabies, and it will never be cured."

Discussion based on scientific data

74 years have passed since the Rabies Prevention Act was enacted.



By promoting vaccination, Japan has become a "cleansing country" where rabies is not widespread.

Since it is no longer a common disease, some people are saying, ``Maybe it's not necessary to vaccinate it every year,'' and ``If it's an indoor dog, there's no risk of getting infected.''



The experts interviewed this time say that vaccinations need to continue, but that it is necessary to proceed with discussions on how to administer vaccinations, such as the frequency of vaccinations, based on scientific data. .

Professor Ito of Gifu University


: ``What I would like to emphasize is the sense of security that we have over the fact that there is no rabies in Japan right now.Compared to other countries, we have taken stricter measures and continue to vaccinate our dogs, which is one of the great benefits of this. In Japan, the risk of rabies can be eliminated even if you are bitten by a dog.There are various opinions regarding vaccination, but we are proceeding with a comprehensive review, taking into account the strengthening of the rabies diagnosis system and the stable supply of vaccines. I need to go.”

Director of Oita University Nishizono Center


: ``Compared to 70 years ago, there is new scientific data that has been discovered, such as the sustainability of vaccine efficacy.The important issue is how to review it from aspects including operation. is"

Furthermore, even if you are bitten by a dog infected with rabies, you can prevent the disease from developing if you take appropriate measures such as vaccination during the incubation period, and do not think of rabies as a past disease. I am calling for you to take action.

Director of Oita University Nishizono Center


: ``Once rabies develops, it is almost 100% fatal, but it is definitely not the end just because you are bitten.It is also important to realize that if you take proper measures, you will not get rabies in most cases. I want you to keep that in mind.


There's a lot of false information on SNS, so I think it's important to know how to deal with it."