Chiang Mai Living Guide

Health & medical care

Animal bites, dengue and vaccination consultations

Seeking care after animal contact, warning signs with fever, mosquito protection and preparing to discuss vaccination.

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An Aedes aegypti mosquito, an example of a dengue vector
An Aedes aegypti mosquito, an example of a dengue vector · CDC · Photo source · Public domain · Resized and converted to WebP; display may crop.

Start with these three things

  1. If bitten by a dog or another mammal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek hospital care as soon as possible.
  2. Severe dengue symptoms can develop after the fever has fallen. Seek medical care immediately for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding or similar warning signs.

Planning tips (not official rules)

  1. Gather vaccination and medicine records, and discuss preventive vaccination and treatment after exposure with a doctor.

Steps

"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.

  1. Wash an animal-bite wound with soap and water. Do not suck the wound with your mouth.
  2. After a bite, seek hospital care promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.
  3. Tell the doctor the type of animal, how contact happened and what you did afterwards, and complete any prescribed vaccinations as directed.
  4. If fever or other symptoms raise concern about dengue, seek medical care rather than choosing fever medicines on your own.
  5. Tip Ask the doctor when to return and which changes should prompt earlier medical advice.

What to prepare

Planning tips (not official rules)

  • Note the date and place of animal contact, the wound location and any steps taken, such as washing it.
  • Bring any vaccination records or photographs, a list of current medicines and allergy information.
  • Record when fever began, temperature changes and medicines taken as far as you can. Do not delay care while searching for records.

Where to ask

Emergency, infectious-disease or travel-medicine service at your medical provider

After a mammal bite, seek medical care as soon as possible.

If dengue is suspected and there are severe symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing or bleeding, seek care immediately.

Reception hours for routine prevention advice and appointments are not yet confirmed. Check with the service. Do not delay urgent care described above while waiting for a routine appointment confirmation.

Things to watch for

  • Rabies concerns are not limited to bites. Scratches or animal saliva contacting a wound, the eyes or the mouth can also pose a risk of infection.
  • Severe dengue symptoms can occur after a fever falls. Do not assume that a lower temperature means the illness is over.

Continue treatment after exposure

FORTH explains that a doctor determines whether vaccination is needed based on the circumstances of contact and other factors. Follow medical instructions rather than deciding the number of doses yourself.

Planning tips (not official rules)

Tell the doctor about any travel or temporary return to Japan during treatment. Ask for a record of products, dates and administration methods, and discuss a handover to the next hospital.

Everyday mosquito protection

Mosquitoes that transmit dengue are active during the day too. Covering the skin, using repellent and window screens, and reducing standing water in containers are preventive measures.

Planning tips (not official rules)

Agree on a regular time to check the garden, balcony and plant-pot saucers. Read repellent instructions and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure how to use it for children.

Considering vaccination

FORTH advises people with frequent animal contact to discuss pre-travel rabies vaccination with a doctor. WHO's dengue vaccine recommendations include conditions relating to the target population and local transmission.

Planning tips (not official rules)

Discuss your age, existing conditions, vaccination and infection history, destination and length of stay with a travel-medicine service. Do not assume that a vaccination a friend received is necessarily appropriate for you.

Confirm the need, method and number of vaccinations, and any treatment, with the doctor examining you.

Sources & dates checked

  1. OfficialQuarantine information, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (FORTH) 狂犬病（Rabies）Quarantine information, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (FORTH) · Checked 2026-10-11
  2. OfficialDengueWorld Health Organization · Checked 2026-10-11
  3. OfficialMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 世界の医療事情：タイMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Checked 2026-10-11