Dogs, cats, monkeys, rats, and bats have been reported to cause many rabies cases in humans in Vietnam and globally.
Dogs
According to the Department of Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, dog bites account for 96% of rabies cases in humans in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, there were 65 deaths from rabies in the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 50% compared to the same period in 2023. The main reason is that people bitten by dogs often have a complacent attitude, believing that bites from domestic dogs do not cause illness or that vaccination is unnecessary until symptoms appear.
Cats
Also according to the Department of Preventive Health, cats account for about 3-4% of rabies cases in Vietnam. Cats can transmit rabies to humans through bites, scratches, or licking open wounds. In 2023, surveillance testing showed a significant increase in rabies cases caused by cat bites compared to previous years, accounting for approximately 10%.
Dog bite wounds pose a high risk of rabies infection. (Photo: Vecteezy).
Monkeys
Monkeys also carry the rabies virus, with the pathogen present in their saliva, which can be transmitted to humans through scratches. Tourists visiting wildlife areas or zoos face a high risk of being scratched or bitten by monkeys when teasing or provoking them.
Rats
Dr. Pham Hong Thuyet, Medical Manager of the VNVC vaccination system, stated that these animals rarely cause rabies cases; however, the risk cannot be ruled out. Additionally, rat bites can lead to tetanus, and rats are also a source of plague transmission to humans.
Bats
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, over 90% of rabies cases in the country originate from wild animals, with bats being the leading source. Approximately 7 out of 10 Americans who die from rabies contracted the disease from these animals.
People receiving rabies vaccinations at VNVC. (Photo: VNVC).
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus, primarily transmitted through bites, scratches, or licks from infected animals. Clinical manifestations in humans include hydrophobia, aerophobia, convulsions, paralysis, and ultimately death.
Dr. Thuyet stated that there is no specific treatment for rabies. Vaccination and serum are the only ways to prevent the disease currently available.
To eliminate the risk of rabies after an animal attack, individuals need to properly clean the wound by following these steps: rinse the wound under clean running water and soap for 15 minutes, then wash again with 45-70% alcohol or iodine alcohol; if soap is unavailable, use shampoo or body wash to clean the wound. After that, visit vaccination centers for advice on vaccination as soon as possible.
For first-time rabies vaccinations, a schedule of 5 doses is recommended, with an additional two doses for subsequent injuries. Rabies vaccine can be administered as a preventive measure before injuries occur, consisting of three doses, without the need for serum; two additional doses should be given for every incident of animal scratch or bite.
