The rabies situation in Dong Nai is at an alarming level

Information from Dong Nai Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Fisheries shows the province has recorded two rabies outbreaks in Long Thanh and Dinh Quan districts from April 9 to April 10. The outbreaks were all related to the current situation of free-roaming yet unsupervised dogs.

The outbreak in Long Thanh district originated from a dog raised by N.A.H. (residing in Phuoc Thai commune). Despite being vaccinated since April 2024, the dog has recently shown signs of aggression but the owner still allowed it to roam freely without a muzzle.

One day, the dog chased a motorbike on the road and bit N.N.M.C. (6 years old, living near H.'s house) while he was with his mother. This animal also bit H. while being put on the leash, leaving a deep wound on his right hand. The dog died shortly after.

According to Vo Van Cuong, Head of the Long Thanh District Station of Livestock Production and Fisheries, the dog tested positive for rabies virus. H. and C. have been vaccinated against rabies and given anti-rabies serum. The station is closely monitoring the outbreak and is vaccinating livestock in the area against rabies.

In Dinh Quan district, the rabies outbreak originated from a dog from L.V.L.'s house (hamlet 6, Suoi Nho commune). This dog had not been vaccinated against rabies. In early April, the dog showed aggressive behavior, biting two children, L.D.M.N. (9 years old) and P.N.T.L. (13 years old), when they came to L.'s house to play. Both children received first aid and were vaccinated against tetanus, rabies and given anti-rabies serum at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City.

L. locked the dog in a cage and reported the incident to the Suoi Nho Commune Station of Health. Not long after, the dog bit another dog in the same house and then died. Analysis results from the Sub-Department of Animal Health Region VI showed that the dog was infected with rabies. The authorities instructed L. to destroy the remaining black dog.

Cumulatively from the beginning of the year, Dong Nai has recorded 8 rabies outbreaks in dogs in the districts of Long Thanh, Cam My, and Dinh Quan. Long Thanh district alone reported 6 cases of rabies outbreaks, with 2 deaths. Neither victim was vaccinated against rabies or given anti-rabies serum after being bitten or scratched by dogs or cats.

Dong Nai Province Center for Diseases Control (CDC Dong Nai) assesses that the current situation of the rabies epidemic in localities displays complicated developments and has a very high risk of widespread. The South is entering the hot season, which puts the rabies epidemic at risk of an outbreak and potentially getting out of control. On the other hand, dog and cat owners are less aware of this matter. Dogs are still let loose on the streets. The vaccination rate for dogs and cats remains low.

“When bitten by a dog or cat, wash the wound thoroughly with soap under clean running water for 10 -15 minutes, then disinfect with 70-degree alcohol or Povidone. Do not squeeze out blood, and avoid applying medicinal leaves or folk remedies to prevent infection and deep penetration of the virus. People bitten or scratched by a dog or cat are recommended to immediately go to a medical facility and get a rabies vaccine,” said Phan Van Phuc, Specialist Doctor, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention, CDC Dong Nai.

Dong Nai has always been in the group with the highest number of rabies outbreaks and deaths from rabies in the country. Every year, thousands of people have to receive preventive treatment after being exposed to the rabies virus due to being bitten by a rabid dog. The situation of unvaccinated dogs roaming freely and not wearing a muzzle remains common, not only increasing the risk of disease transmission but also causing traffic insecurity and affecting community life.

Dong Nai province's veterinary sector has organized many large-scale rabies vaccination campaigns, however, this work faces many difficulties specifically in rural areas, where people still keep the habit of letting dogs roam freely while vaccination awareness is low.