Ministry of Health's request regarding emergency measures against rabies in Vietnam

Ministry of Health's request regarding emergency measures against rabies in Vietnam (Internet image) 

On March 15, 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Official Dispathc 1208/BYT-DP regarding the implementation of urgent measures to prevent and control rabies.

Ministry of Health's request regarding emergency measures against rabies in Vietnam

Specifically, according to the report from the Ministry of Health's infectious disease surveillance system, rabies has been increasing since 2022, with many provinces and cities having circulating cases of rabies for several years, resulting in a high number of deaths caused by rabies. From the beginning of 2024 until now, there has been a sudden increase in rabies cases, with 22 deaths, which is double the number compared to the same period in 2023 (10 cases). Particularly concerning is the recent appearance of cases with a short incubation period of 10–15 days, many of which involve children under 5 years old being bitten by dogs or cats on the head or face, causing severe injuries in the central nervous system area.

The main cause of rabies-related deaths in humans is that individuals who have been bitten by suspected rabid animals did not receive timely vaccination. The public's awareness of the dangers of rabies and preventive measures is also limited. Additionally, the management of dog and cat populations in some localities is lax, and the vaccination coverage for dogs and cats against rabies is low, reaching only about 50% of the total population. According to the report from the Department of Animal Health - Ministry of Agriculture, and Rural Development, there were 347 cases of rabies in animals recorded in 31 provinces and cities in 2023. From the beginning of 2024 until now, there have been 45 cases recorded in 22 provinces and cities, which is an increase of 6 cases and double the number of affected provinces and cities compared to the same period in 2023.

Given the increasing number of rabies cases in humans and animals in many places, the Ministry of Health respectfully requests the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to pay attention and direct relevant units and localities to focus on urgently implementing the following contents:

- Fully and effectively implement the contents of the National Program for Rabies Prevention and Control in the period 2022–2030, issued together with Decision 2151/QD-TTg on December 21, 2021.

- Actively monitor cases of suspected rabid dog and cat bites to guide timely vaccination according to the Ministry of Health's guidelines and promptly handle outbreaks. Strengthen coordination between the health and veterinary sectors to monitor and promptly detect cases of suspected rabid animal bites.

- Ensure sufficient and improved access for the population to rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin, especially in high-risk areas. Arrange at least one vaccination point in each district, and consider setting up additional vaccination points in areas with large territories and difficult terrain. Organize training for healthcare staff at rabies vaccination points on counseling and handling cases of animal bites.

- Strengthen communication on the dangers of rabies and timely share information to empower people to take preventive measures. Encourage people to promptly seek medical advice, examination, and rabies vaccination and immunoglobulin, especially in areas where there have been deaths from rabies and low vaccination rates for dogs and cats. Enhance communication in schools for children and students, public communication, direct communication, and communication through grassroots propaganda systems in remote, far-flung areas with a significant population of ethnic minorities, emphasizing the importance of not using unacknowledged methods to treat rabies.

- Allocate funds to implement coordinated and effective activities for the prevention and control of rabies in humans and animals and mobilize the participation of committees, sectors, organizations, and the community in rabies prevention and control efforts.

More details can be found in Official Dispathc 1208/BYT-DP, dated March 15, 2024.

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