On December 13, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that in Vietnam, the main source of rabies is dogs and cats. In the period 2017 - 2021, an average of more than 70 deaths were recorded each year; it is the infectious disease with the highest number of deaths and most localities across the country have recorded deaths due to rabies in humans.
Since the beginning of 2024, the country has recorded more than 80 deaths in 33 provinces and cities, of which some localities recorded a high number of human deaths due to rabies, such as Binh Thuan (10 cases), Dak Lak (7 cases), Nghe An (7 cases), Gia Lai (6 cases).
Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus. The disease is endemic in many countries around the world, with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa and Asia. Southeast Asia is a rabies hotspot with a large number of stray dogs, low rates of rabies vaccination in livestock (dogs and cats), and widespread dog and cat meat trade in some countries. Rabies is a threat to human health and life; the mortality rate from rabies is nearly 100% when symptoms appear. Early detection, treatment, and timely vaccination are important to prevent death. Rabies vaccination has been shown to be effective and much more cost-effective than post-exposure treatment in preventing rabies deaths in humans.
There are many causes of death from rabies in humans: people bitten by suspected rabid animals do not get vaccinated against rabies and/or anti-rabies serum, get vaccinated late, do not get enough doses, do not get the right indications, self-treat, use herbal medicine; dog and cat herds are still loosely managed, rabies vaccination coverage in dogs and cats is low (only about 50% of the total dog and cat herd). The risk of rabies transmission from animals to humans is still very high, the possibility of continuing to record deaths from rabies in humans is still very high.
The Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that there is no specific treatment for rabies, but it is completely preventable. To prevent rabies for yourself and the community, people need to proactively follow the following recommendations:
It is best to vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies; dog and cat owners need to fully vaccinate against rabies and get booster shots according to veterinary recommendations.
Do not play with or tease dogs or cats; avoid contact with dogs or cats showing unusual behavior, especially with children.
When bitten by a dog or cat: Clean and disinfect the wound: wash the wound immediately with soap under running water for 15 minutes. If soap is not available, wash the wound with water; then disinfect the wound with 70% alcohol or antiseptic. Do not cover the wound and limit bruising the wound.
Get rabies vaccine and/or anti-rabies serum immediately after being bitten by a dog or cat. For rabies vaccine to be effective, it is necessary to get the full vaccination during the incubation period, before the symptoms of rabies appear, as instructed by medical staff. Never self-treat or seek treatment from a traditional healer.
Minimize the trading and slaughter of dogs and cats to reduce the risk of direct contact with rabies virus from dogs and cats.
In case of risk of rabies, go immediately to the nearest medical facility for examination, consultation and timely treatment.
