Dong Nai tightens rabies prevention: A high risk of pathogen existence in the community

According to the Dong Nai Center for Disease Control, Vinh Cuu district recorded one more case of dog bite on October 27. This is the 32nd outbreak of rabies in dogs in Dong Nai since the beginning of the year.

To be more specific, a stray dog ​​of unknown origin ran into a fight with a dog kept in the Vinh Cuu District Military Command, then turned around and bit L.G.H. The dog later died. The veterinary staff of Vinh An town, Vinh Cuu district coordinated with the district's Station of Livestock Production and Animal Health and the People's Committee of Vinh An town to collect samples and conduct tests.

Test results showed that the dog tested positive for rabies, and the person who was bitten by the dog had been vaccinated against rabies and given anti-rabies serum. The local authorities have conducted an investigation and monitored four dogs in the area.

According to Phan Van Phuc, the head doctor of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention, Dong Nai Center for Disease Control, since the beginning of 2024, the province has recorded three human deaths due to rabies. “All of these cases were bitten by dogs or cats, but despite being advised by local authorities, experts and family members, they did not get vaccinated against rabies. All three patients developed the disease and died a few months later,” he said.

Nguyen Truong Giang, Head of Dong Nai Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, believes that rabies cases in animals are increasing sharply compared to the same period in 2023. Dong Nai currently leads the country in the number of rabies outbreaks.

“The recent occurrence of rabies cases in Dong Nai is unusual. From 2014 to December 2022, the province did not record any rabies cases in animals or humans. However, the number of rabies outbreaks in 2023 increased dramatically, with more than 20 outbreaks in 7 districts and cities,” said Nguyen Truong Giang.

The current total number of dogs and cats in Dong Nai is estimated at 300,000, although the investigation is incomplete. The rate of rabies vaccination in dogs and cats is over 40%. The data shows that there are still many dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated against rabies. This increases the risk of the disease continuing to spread silently on a large scale.

“Most pet owners are still very negligent in their supervision, letting their dogs and cats roam freely without muzzles. When a dog is bitten by a rabid dog, the rabies virus will quickly spread in the community,” said the Head of Dong Nai Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health.

Due to habit, the situation of people in the province still butchering, processing and using dogs as food is still common. This action has many potential risks because it is impossible to assess whether dogs and cats are likely to be infected with rabies.

Faced with the risk of widespread rabies outbreaks, the Dong Nai provincial authorities are making efforts to proactively implement solutions to prevent and control the disease. Using a "three-legged stool" strategy including information dissemination, pursuit of stray dogs and livestock vaccination, Dong Nai hopes to soon have the disease under control in the next few years.

According to recent information, three units of Dong Nai including the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Education and Training, and the Department of Health joined hands to promote rabies prevention and control for students. This is expected to build awareness of regular disease prevention and control for children, which will then create a chain impact on grandparents and parents who directly raise dogs and cats.

There is still no specific treatment for rabies as of date, so 100% of patients who have had a rabies attack die. Rabies prevention is a matter of great importance. Residents should take the initiative and get vaccinated after being scratched or bitten by dogs and cats.