A team of professionals discuss stray dogs and potentially rabid animals in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Health has issued a warning to the public regarding the rising number of deaths from rabies in the country.

There has been a significant increase in rabies-related deaths, with 22 cases reported in the first two months of the year, a spike from the same period last year, according to a report by the ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine.

Provinces that have seen a high number of deaths include Gia Lai (14 cases), Nghệ An (7), Bình Phước (7), Điện Biên (6), Bến Tre (5), and Đắk Lắk (4) and Bình Thuận (4).

The ministry stressed the importance of seeking proper medical care rather than relying on self-treatment or traditional healers.

Rabies is a deadly virus that is usually transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, commonly through a bite or scratch. Once symptoms manifest, the disease is almost always fatal.

With a short incubation period of 10-15 days, rabies predominantly affects children under five who are bitten by infected animals near the central nervous system.

The main reasons for rabies-related deaths in humans include lack of proper treatment, delayed vaccination, insufficient dosage, and incorrect procedures.

The ministry said it was vital to raise public awareness regarding rabies prevention and treatment, as this often leads to delayed medical care and self-treatment with unproven methods.

Preventive measures recommended by the ministry include vaccinating pets, keeping them leashed or indoors, and avoiding interactions that may provoke them.

In the event of a bite, immediate cleaning of the wound and seeking medical attention are crucial, it said.

The public should exercise caution around animals, particularly stray dogs and cats, as they may be carriers of the rabies virus, it added.

Pet owners were urged to ensure their animals are up to date on rabies vaccinations, according to the ministry. — VNS