HCM City reports 1st rabies death in 7 years

June 09, 2017 - 09:00

The first death caused by rabies in HCM City since 2010 has occurred in Gò Vấp District, according to the Department of Health.

An unidentified man gets a rabies vaccine at the HCM City Preventive Medicine Centre. — VNA/VNS Photo
Viet Nam News

HCM CITY — The first death caused by rabies in HCM City since 2010 has occurred in Gò Vấp District, according to the Department of Health.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, department officials said a 52 year-old woman died after failing to get shots for more than one month after being bitten by a neighbour’s dog.

The dog also died within a few days afterwards at the end of March.

The city’s Preventive Medicine Centre recommends that people who regularly come in contact with infected dogs should get rabies vaccinations.

It also co-ordinates with the Animal Health Division to vaccinate dogs against rabies around the city.

Dr Lê Hồng Nga of the Preventive Medicine Centre said the rabies virus is transmitted through bites by infected animals, mostly dogs and cats.

Rabies is a dangerous infectious disease with a very high mortality rate, but it can be prevented and treated by using vaccines and anti-rabies serum. — VNS

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