Family members said that during the past time, it was not clear whether the patient had been bitten by a dog or not. However, more than 2 years ago, the patient had been bitten by a dog but did not get a rabies vaccine.
On the afternoon of April 25, information from the Center for Disease Control of Binh Thuan province said that the locality had just recorded another case of death due to rabies.
This case is Mr. Vo Hong P. (born in 1990), in Quarter 4, Tan Thien Ward, La Gi Town.
On April 20, the patient developed symptoms such as fatigue, numbness in the arms and legs, fear of wind, and fear of water. On April 22, the patient was taken to La Gi Regional General Hospital and was diagnosed with rabies.
In the afternoon of the same day, the patient was transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.
By April 23, the patient showed more severe signs and was diagnosed with rabies. Test results were positive for rabies virus. The patient died later.
According to the results of the epidemiological investigation, family members said that recently it was unclear whether the patient was bitten by a dog or not.
However, more than 2 years ago, the patient was bitten by a loose dog with a shallow bite wound. The patient was not vaccinated against rabies.
As soon as this case was recorded, the local medical force conducted an investigation into contact cases and sources of infection in the family and community; Instructions on how to disinfect and disinfect at the victim’s home; Instruct exposed people to receive preventive treatment and implement rabies prevention activities.
According to the Provincial Center for Disease Control, in Phuoc Hoi ward in particular and La Gi town in general, domestic dogs roam freely but the rate of rabies vaccination is low.
In the current weather situation, the risk of rabies in animals is very high. It is worth noting that previously in February 2024, this locality also recorded a case of death due to rabies.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is common worldwide. Every year this disease causes death to 60,000-70,000 people and millions of animals.
Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease. When it occurs, people with rabies almost die 100%. The cause of rabies is a bacteria called Rhabdovirus found in the saliva of rabid animals.
Rabies is transmitted from the saliva of rabid animals through bites, scratches, and licks. The incubation period for rabies can be less than 1 week or more than a year, depending on the amount of virus entering the body, the severity of the wound, the distance from the wound to the central nervous system…
As soon as it enters the body, the rabies virus enters the peripheral nerves, running along the nerves to the spinal cord and brain. As soon as the virus reaches the brain, the patient actually has clear clinical signs.
From the beginning of 2024 until now, in Binh Thuan, rabies has become complicated and there have been 6 deaths suspected of rabies. In April 2024 alone, the locality recorded 3 cases.
The continuous occurrence of heartbreaking deaths due to rabies has sounded the alarm about the lack of control over free-roaming dogs and cats and the low rate of rabies vaccination on dogs and cats; especially people’s awareness of rabies prevention.
A part of the people are still indifferent, negligent, and do not understand properly and sufficiently about rabies and the rabies vaccine, leading to complacency and incorrect treatment. This affects one’s life, affects public health, and makes it difficult to prevent, control and repel rabies.
To proactively prevent rabies, in the coming time, Binh Thuan Health sector will continue to innovate communication methods and content with the goal of raising people’s disease prevention awareness. At the same time, the Health sector coordinates with the Agriculture sector and localities to propagate and mobilize people to keep dogs and cats in captivity and wear muzzles when going out.
The Health sector recommends that people who are bitten by dogs or cats should immediately wash the wound under running water with soap and immediately go to a medical facility for examination, consultation and injection of rabies vaccine and anti-rabies serum; Absolutely do not self-treat at home.
Parents should guide children on how to prevent dog or cat bites and immediately notify parents or relatives after being bitten by a dog or cat./.
At home, the patient has 7 dogs. Every day, the patient feeds the dog, so it is unclear whether the patient was slightly scratched or licked by the dog but did not know it.
