Strictly handling cases of not vaccinating pets against rabies

Three dogs with rabies detected

According to Nguyen Trong Hiep, Deputy Head of Binh Thuan Sub-Department of Crop Production and Livestock Production, since the beginning of the year, the province has recorded three cases of dogs with rabies in Ham Tien, Mui Ne, and Phu Tai wards (Phan Thiet city).

On January 6, a dog that was being treated at the veterinary clinic in Ham Tien ward died. The dog showed signs of suspected rabies, so the Phan Thiet City Agricultural Technical and Service Center was quickly notified.

The Center then took a sample and sent it to the Sub-Department of Animal Health Region VI (HCMC) for testing, the result was positive for rabies virus. The Center proceeded to destroy the dog's body according to regulations.

In the case of Mui Ne ward, a stray yellow dog weighing nearly 6 kg ran into Nguyen Van Tuan, a resident of ward 6, at noon on February 6. The dog bit his leg, causing it to bleed. Afterward, his family quickly treated the wound and took him to the medical station for vaccination. This dog also ran into two other people and got in a fight with five other dogs in the area.

Immediately after the incident, Mui Ne Ward People's Committee seized and monitored the dog, but it died on the same day. Upon receiving the report, Phan Thiet City Agricultural Technical and Service Center took samples for testing, and the results showed that the dog had rabies.

As for Phu Tai ward, on February 20, Phan Thiet City Agricultural Technical and Service Center received a report from the local authorities that a stray dog ​​had bitten many people in street 3. Phu Tai Ward People's Committee assigned an officer and a team to catch stray dogs and bring them back to the ward for monitoring, after which the dog died. The Center took samples for testing, and the results showed that this dog was also infected with rabies. Upon verification, this dog had bitten three people.

“After being notified about the cases of rabid dogs biting people in the locality, the Center has organized isolation and disinfectant spraying. We then conduct emergency rabies vaccinations for households with dogs and cats in areas particularly the 3 wards of Ham Tien, Mui Ne, and Phu Tai.

“People who have been scratched or bitten by rabid dogs are instructed to get anti-rabies serum injections according to regulations. Rabies outbreaks in the city have been dealt with by the Center and are safely under control with no sign of recurrence,” said Pham Thi Bich Thom, Director of Phan Thiet City Agricultural Technology and Service Center.

Heavy punishment is needed

Deputy Head Nguyen Trong Hiep assesses that rabies prevention and control in dogs and cats still faces many difficulties despite the efforts from the provincial functional forces, which leads to three cases of unvaccinated dogs running wild in the area.

Some People's Committees of the commune and ward levels have not really paid attention to managing and counting the number of dogs and cats raised in each household. They have also not strictly punished violations of vaccination against rabies along with trading and transportation of dogs and cats in the area.

There are very few veterinary staff to organize rabies vaccination, so they cannot go to each and every household but only operate at the vaccination point. The majority of people are still not aware of their responsibility in vaccinating their dogs and cats against rabies.

Facing the situation, Binh Thuan Sub-Department of Crop Production and Livestock Production will regularly direct the implementation of measures synchronously to prevent and control rabies in accordance with the provisions of the Veterinary Law.

Local authorities are required to assess the actual situation and establish a team to catch stray dogs that do not wear muzzles if necessary, and strictly handle cases of non-compliance with regulations on pet management and rabies vaccination.

Localities must regularly review and count the total number of dogs and cats raised, carry out rabies vaccination and supplementary vaccination, and ensure the vaccination rate reaches over 80% of the total number of dogs and cats in the area.