Teams could be formed to catch stray dogs.

According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, rabies in animals has now broken out in the area and has the potential to spread and form outbreaks. Therefore, urgently implementing rabies prevention and control measures and focusing on vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies is a very necessary task.

According to a report from the Department of Animal Health, from the beginning of the year to April 8, 2024, 106 cases of rabies in animals were detected nationwide in 71 communes of 56 districts in 27 provinces. Regarding rabies in humans, according to a report from the Ministry of Health , in the first three months of 2024 alone, 27 deaths due to rabies were recorded nationwide, a 170% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

In Quang Tri province , the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine recently conducted passive surveillance sampling of a dog suspected of having rabies in Phuong Duyet village, Vinh Tu commune, Vinh Linh district. The dog died after biting a local resident. On April 5, 2024, the test results from the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center confirmed that the dog tested positive for the rabies virus.

In light of this situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a document requesting the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities, and relevant agencies to urgently direct and implement measures to prevent and control the outbreak and spread of rabies, conduct a review of the total dog and cat population, and carry out rabies vaccination for dogs and cats in their localities. The review of the total dog and cat population must be completed before April 15, 2024. The rabies vaccination program needs to achieve a vaccination rate of over 80% of the total population.

The rabies vaccination campaign must be completed before April 30, 2024. After that, localities need to review and organize supplementary rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats that have not yet been vaccinated. In localities with low vaccination rates, measures should be taken to capture and dispose of stray dogs that do not meet disease prevention requirements.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also requested the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities to direct communes, wards, and townships to require households raising dogs and cats to commit to declaring and keeping their pets within their family premises. When taking them out of the house, dogs must be leashed, muzzled, and accompanied by a person.

Cases of non-compliance with regulations on dog and cat management and failure to vaccinate against rabies will be severely punished according to regulations. Based on the actual situation, localities may establish teams to catch stray dogs, dogs without muzzles when out in public, and those suspected of having rabies.

Specifically for Vinh Linh district, it is necessary to focus on implementing comprehensive and decisive measures to prevent and control rabies in Vinh Tu commune according to the guidance of specialized agencies, preventing the disease from spreading widely and avoiding any deaths from rabies.

Tay Long

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