Hot summer, risk of rabies outbreak

The risk of rabies continuing to occur and cause death in humans is very high if not prevented and controlled effectively. Notably, the hot summer season can cause rabies outbreaks.

Rabies vaccination for dogs (Illustration photo)

5 years, 410 people died of rabies

In the past 5 years, Vietnam has had 410 deaths from rabies, more than 2.7 million people had to receive preventive treatment. Specifically, in 2022, the whole country recorded 70 deaths and in the first 3 months of 2023, there were 23 deaths due to rabies. That is information from the Ministry of Health. In Binh Thuan , in 2022, the whole province recorded 3 deaths suspected of being due to rabies. Recently, a patient in Lien Huong (Tuy Phong) died of suspected rabies. Because the dog bit him 6 months ago and this dog had not been vaccinated against rabies, he was bitten by a stray dog before biting the homeowner. It is worth noting that the patient was not vaccinated against rabies after being bitten by a dog. This is the first suspected death due to rabies in Binh Thuan since the beginning of 2023. Thereby, warning that the risk of rabies continuing to occur and causing death in humans is very high, if not prevented and controlled effectively.

According to doctors, the incubation period of rabies varies from person to person; usually from 2 to 8 weeks, it can be as short as 10 days or as long as a year. The incubation period depends on the amount of virus entering the body, the depth of the bite, and the distance from the wound to the brain. When rabies occurs, both animals and people die. Therefore, it is necessary to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies and people when bitten by dogs and cats. Notably, this is the hot summer season - favorable conditions for rabies to break out.

However, the situation of dogs without muzzles, without people walking around, is easy to see when walking on the street. In addition to dogs attacking and causing injuries, spreading rabies, dogs also defecate indiscriminately in residential areas and public places. Dogs even run across the street suddenly, causing drivers to fall... or causing traffic accidents.

The law prescribes, but has not been complied with

Meanwhile, Clause 2, Article 7 - Decree No. 90 of the Government stipulates administrative sanctions in the veterinary field regarding fines from 600,000 - 800,000 VND for the act of not vaccinating animals against rabies that are required to be vaccinated, not muzzling dogs or not keeping dogs on leashes, not having someone lead them when taking them to public places. At Point b, Clause 1, Article 7, Decree 144 of the Government stipulates a warning or a fine from 300,000 - 500,000 VND for the act of letting pets run free in urban areas or public places. Although legal documents have been issued with specific regulations on the responsibilities of dog owners, the penalty for letting dogs run free... but in reality, many households raising dogs and cats violate the above provisions but have not been handled according to regulations.

Looking outside the province, some provinces and cities have established teams to catch dogs that are not muzzled and animals with rabies, and have enforced rabies vaccination for dogs and cats since 2022. In addition, dog and cat owners must register, commit to the locality, chain, confine or keep their dogs within the family premises; when taking them out, they must be chained, muzzled and led by someone...

Dr. Le Van Hong - Deputy Director of Binh Thuan Department of Health shared: With 1 suspected death due to rabies in Tuy Phong, Binh Thuan Department of Health has a document requesting the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province to continue to pay attention to the work of preventing and controlling animal rabies. That is, to propagate and mobilize families raising dogs and cats to fully vaccinate their pets against rabies; to guide measures to manage dogs and cats when they are let loose in the community. At the same time, to have measures to deal with dogs and cats running loose in the community. To strengthen communication on rabies prevention and control in animals to prevent the transmission of rabies from animals to humans; to monitor, detect and handle rabies outbreaks in animals; as well as to promptly share information so that the health sector can proactively implement measures to prevent infection to humans.

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