(binhthuan.gov.vn) The Provincial Center for Disease Control has recently reported a suspected rabies-related death in Tien Thanh village, Phan Tien commune, Bac Binh district. This is also the first suspected rabies fatality in the area.

Epidemiological investigation reveals that the patient, Ms. M.T.H, born in 1982, is of the K'ho ethnic group. According to her family, about two years ago, she was bitten by the family dog on her right hand, causing bleeding (the dog was a small puppy, approximately 2 months old). Two to three days later, the puppy died for unknown reasons. The patient treated the wound with soap on her own but did not receive rabies vaccination or rabies immune globulin.

On December 12, 2024, the patient was transferred to the Provincial General Hospital. She was alert and responsive but displayed symptoms such as flushed skin and mucous membranes, fatigue, chest tightness, vomiting, agitation, an inability to drink water, and a fear of wind and cold. The hospital diagnosed her as being under observation for rabies. By the morning of December 13, 2024, her condition deteriorated, and the family requested to take her home, where she later passed away.

Immediately after receiving information about the suspected rabies-related death in Bac Binh district, the Department of Health requested the Bac Binh District People's Committee to urgently direct the enhancement of information and communication efforts regarding the dangers of rabies and preventive measures, as well as relevant legal regulations concerning animal rabies control. These efforts should target local communities, schools, livestock breeders, and individuals involved in the slaughter of dogs and cats, using coordinated methods to raise awareness and promote responsibility among dog and cat owners within the community.

Establish forces to thoroughly address the issue of stray dogs in each commune; provide guidance and require pet owners, including those with dogs, cats, and other animals that pose a risk of disease, to commit to fully complying with legal regulations on the care, confinement, and management of these animals. This includes proper registration, vaccination, and rabies prevention measures.

Direct the People's Committees of communes and townships to collaborate with local veterinary authorities to ensure strict implementation of rabies vaccination for dog and cat populations, meeting the vaccination targets set by the National Rabies Prevention Program for the 2022-2030 period, as specified in Decision No. 578/QĐ-UBND dated March 3, 2022 by the Provincial People's Committee. Additionally, conduct investigations and collect animal samples from the dog population in Phan Tien commune and other high-risk areas to test for the rabies virus, enabling early detection and effective control of rabies outbreaks in animals.

Establish interdisciplinary forces to inspect, guide, and monitor the implementation of rabies prevention and control measures at the local level. Enforce strict penalties for individuals who fail to comply with regulations on the care, confinement, management, and rabies vaccination of dogs and cats, especially when serious consequences arise, in accordance with legal provisions./.

Hữu Tri