Rabies warning is coming 'in season'

Warning that rabies is about to 'enter season' - Photo 1.

Child attacked by dog in Hanoi

Don't be subjective with your pet dogs.

Specifically, a 45-year-old woman in Hanoi was bitten on the hand by her own dog. The animal weighed only about 5-6kg but died shortly afterwards - this is a sign related to rabies, although testing is needed to determine exactly.

Immediately afterwards, the patient went to a nearby medical facility for treatment and vaccination. However, due to a history of lupus erythematosus – an autoimmune disease that causes immune disorders, the patient was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases to monitor the injection process, to prevent anaphylactic shock or complications.

Dr. Tran Quang Dai, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that the patient has completed the vaccination regimen and is in stable health.

The second case is a 5-year-old girl in Hanoi, also attacked by a dog weighing more than 20kg in the head and face area, an area near the central nervous system, increasing the risk of spreading the virus if the animal carries the pathogen.

Upon admission, the child had more than 10 wounds, including a deep wound with clear dog teeth marks. Doctors performed emergency treatment, using about 10 stitches to drain the fluid and reduce the risk of infection.

According to Dr. Pham Van Tinh, Department of Orthopedic and Spinal Surgery, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, many people think that closed sutures will heal quickly, but with bites, open sutures will help monitor and prevent complications better. The child is being monitored and continues the vaccination regimen and rabies serum.

Rabies virus can be transmitted from domestic dogs

Dr. Ngo Thanh Ha, Deputy Director of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, warned that domestic dogs (including small dogs) that are not regularly vaccinated can still carry the rabies virus, even if they do not show obvious symptoms. The virus exists in saliva and can be transmitted to humans through bites.

Rabies is one of the most dangerous infectious agents, with a mortality rate of up to 100% if the patient has developed rabies. People need to fully vaccinate their pets, do not let dogs and cats roam freely. If you take your dog outside, you must wear a muzzle.

Never let small children come into close contact with large dogs without supervision. If bitten by a dog (including a vaccinated dog), go to a medical facility for proper treatment and vaccination.

Summer - peak season for rabies

Health experts say that the upcoming summer is the time when rabies is likely to break out. The heat makes dogs easily agitated and aggressive, while the situation of letting pets roam freely without vaccination is still common in our country.

This is a favorable condition for the rabies virus to spread in the community. Any subjectivity can be traded for health, even life.

Currently, the best way to prevent disease is to fully vaccinate 100% of dogs and cats and to re-vaccinate annually according to veterinary recommendations. When raising dogs, they must be chained, locked up, and muzzled when going out. Do not play with or tease pets.

When bitten by a dog or cat, wash the wound immediately under running water with soap for 15 minutes. If soap is not available, rinse the wound with plain water. This is the most effective first aid method against rabies.

The wound should be cleaned with 70% alcohol, iodine alcohol or povidone-iodine (if available). Avoid bruising the wound and do not cover it with a bandage.

Then, go to the nearest medical center for advice and timely rabies vaccination. Only vaccination can prevent rabies. Absolutely do not self-treat or seek treatment from a traditional healer.

Hien Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/canh-bao-benh-dai-sap-vao-mua-102250426181704643.htm