Rabies outbreak from stray dogs
Mr. Tran Muoi (in KP 4, Vinh Dien ward, Dien Ban town) said that since September 25, he adopted a strange male dog, yellow-brown in color, about 1 year old, that passed by his house.
Five days later, the dog suddenly had a fit and bit four people and a pig in Mr. Muoi's family; and Mr. Muoi was bitten by his pet cat.
"After being bitten by dogs and cats many times in my house, I took the two dogs and cats (that bit people) and left them on the land behind Vinh Dien market" - Mr. Muoi said.
On October 3, the stray dog was adopted by Ms. Do Thi Phuong (in KP 4, Vinh Dien ward), cared for and fed, but continued to bite Ms. Phuong and her child L.P.T.P (born in 2017) repeatedly on the legs. By the evening of October 5, the dog died.
The results of the sample test by Dien Ban veterinary agency confirmed that the dog that Ms. Phuong adopted tested positive for rabies virus. In total, from September 25 to October 5, at least 7 people in KP 4, Vinh Dien ward were suspected of being bitten by this rabid dog.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Nam, since the beginning of the year, the province has had 12 outbreaks of rabies in 5 districts and towns including Hoi An, Dien Ban, Dong Giang, Hiep Duc, and Que Son. Of these, 3 outbreaks were detected from ownerless dogs carrying the rabies virus into the area.
Many localities are still subjective and negligent.
Quang Nam currently has 10 animal rabies outbreaks, most concentrated in Dien Ban (4 outbreaks).
The number of people bitten by dogs and cats and having to go to medical facilities for preventive treatment also increased dramatically in the first 9 months of 2024, with 5,760 people (more than double compared to the same period in 2023).
Thirteen people tested positive for rabies, one person died.
667 cases of dogs and cats showing signs of illness, rabies or running away after biting people.
Although the rabies epidemic is complicated, many districts and communes in Quang Nam are still subjective and negligent.
In Binh Lam commune, Hiep Duc district, one month after the outbreak of rabies, the rabies vaccination rate for domestic dogs and cats has only reached 19.95%.
In Phuoc Son district, rabies vaccinations were not even organized for dogs and cats raised in the area in 2024, despite a previous report reviewing responsibilities.
Currently, the rate of rabies vaccination for dogs and cats in the province is still too low, only reaching 32.51%, compared to the minimum regulation of 70% of the total herd.
Many pet owners do not declare their livestock, do not chain or keep their dogs within the family's premises, do not muzzle or chain their dogs when taking them out in public.
"People who are bitten or scratched by dogs or cats do not go to get rabies vaccinations, but go to traditional medicine facilities for treatment...
Therefore, the risk of rabies continuing to arise in the coming time is very high," Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang - Deputy Manager of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Branch of Quang Nam is concerned.
