Tessa Quinn
Vietnam has a high level of biological diversity, with approximately 840 bird species and 310 mammal species. Unfortunately, rabies is endemic in the country, and while it is preventable, it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The disease is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via the saliva of infected mammals. In Vietnam, rabies is most commonly transmitted by domestic dogs, but it can also be spread by wild animals. To prevent rabies, hospitals in Vietnam provide rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), vaccines, or both. According to the World Health Organization, rabies kills around 100 people in Vietnam annually, and the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rabies in Vietnam | Rabies is an endemic infectious viral disease in Vietnam that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms. |
| Human rabies deaths in Vietnam | There were 404 cases in 1992, 91 cases in 2016, and around 100 cases in 2023. |
| Dog-mediated human rabies deaths | In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. |
| Rabies prevention and control | The government and international partners have invested in rabies prevention and control, reducing human rabies deaths. |
| Rabies vaccination in Vietnam | Vaccination is typically recommended for very high-risk travelers and is available at designated rabies biologics centers. |
| Rabies treatment in Vietnam | Animal-bite treatment is divided between curative and preventative health systems. The curative system provides wound treatment at district and provincial hospitals. |
| Rabies biologics distribution | There are delays and shortages in receiving vaccines and immunoglobulin (eRIG) due to manufacturing and funding issues, impacting the reliable supply of biologics to patients. |
| Rabies surveillance in Vietnam | Surveillance evaluations have been conducted in Southern Vietnam to identify areas for improvement and assess the performance of rabies monitoring. |
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What You'll Learn
- Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly
- Rabies is endemic in Vietnam, with around 100 people dying from it each year
- Vietnam has 780 designated rabies treatment centres, with 84% providing immunoglobulin
- Rabies is transmitted by animal bites and scratches, usually via saliva
- Rabies prevention includes avoiding contact with animals and supervising pets
Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly
In Vietnam, rabies is an endemic disease, and human rabies cases have been reported across the country, with a higher incidence in rural and remote areas. The Vietnamese government and international partners have made significant investments in rabies prevention and control, reducing human rabies deaths from 404 cases in 1992 to 91 cases in 2016. Vietnam has approximately 780 designated rabies treatment centers, with 659 providing rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), vaccines, or both. The average cost to patients for rabies treatment in Vietnam is relatively low, ranging from $8.45 for an IM injection to $23 for imported eRIG.
Despite these efforts, rabies continues to be a significant health issue in Vietnam, with an estimated 61 deaths recorded in the first eight months of 2023. The actual number of cases is likely higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. The low rate of pet vaccination, particularly in dogs, and the dog meat trade hinder the elimination of rabies in the country.
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by an animal in Vietnam, as rabies can be prevented if treated promptly within 7-10 days of exposure. The treatment for rabies typically involves wound care and vaccination to prevent the onset of clinical symptoms. However, once clinical signs appear, there is currently no effective cure for rabies, making timely post-exposure treatment critical.
To protect yourself from rabies in Vietnam, it is recommended to avoid contact with animals, especially stray or wild animals. Do not touch, feed, or allow animals to lick open wounds. If you wake up in a room with a bat, seek medical attention immediately, as bat bites may be hard to detect. Additionally, ensure your pets are vaccinated against rabies to protect both them and your community.
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Rabies is endemic in Vietnam, with around 100 people dying from it each year
Rabies is a deadly disease that is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via the saliva of infected animals. It is present on all continents, except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in Asia and Africa. The disease is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms, and there is currently no effective treatment for rabies once these signs appear. However, it is preventable through vaccination either before or immediately after exposure.
Rabies is endemic in Vietnam, with around 70-100 people dying from it each year. It is one of the few endemic countries where rabies biologics are widely available. The country vaccinates an average of 439,692 patients per year. In 2016, Vietnam had 91 cases of human rabies, down from 404 in 1992. The majority of cases are caused by the bite of rabid dogs. Dog-mediated rabies is enzootic in Vietnam, resulting in around 500,000 human rabies exposures annually.
To reduce the spread of rabies, Vietnam strengthened its rabies control and prevention system nationwide in 1996, focusing on community engagement through communication channels, vaccination, and dog population management in urban areas. In 2014, Vietnam's Ministry of Health launched its national guideline for rabies surveillance, control, and prevention. The Vietnam Animal Rabies Surveillance Program (VARSP) was established to improve knowledge of the dog-mediated rabies burden in Phu Tho Province. The rabies surveillance system in Phu Tho Province is based on the World Health Organization (WHO)-supported IBCM approach for investigation and data recording.
In Vietnam, animal-bite treatment is divided across two health systems: curative and preventative. The curative health system provides wound treatment at district and provincial hospitals. There are 780 designated rabies biologics centres in Vietnam, 84% of which provide rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), a vaccine, or both. The average cost to patients for one dose of IM injection is $8.45, $13.90 for domestic eRIG, and $23 for imported eRIG.
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Vietnam has 780 designated rabies treatment centres, with 84% providing immunoglobulin
Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not always be available in some countries. Animal bites and scratches can lead to rabies, and all animals can pose a threat, especially dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes.
In 2017, Vietnam had 780 designated rabies treatment centres, with 659 (84%) providing rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), a vaccine, or both. These centres are divided across two health systems: curative and preventative. The curative health system provides wound treatment at district and provincial hospitals, while the preventative health system covers rabies biologics. There are four Regional Institutes (RIs), 63 Provincial Preventative Medicine Centres (PPMCs), and 713 District Preventative Medicine Centres (DPMCs). eRIG is usually offered at RIs and PPMCs, but some DPMCs also offer it.
The average costs to patients for one dose of IM injection were $8.45 (range: $5.43–$12.77), $13.90 (range: $11.86–$16.71) for domestic eRIG, and $23 ($21.11–$27.11) for imported eRIG. The top three challenges in providing biologics are delays or shortages from manufacturers, a lack of funds to pay for biologics, and the high cost of biologics.
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Rabies is transmitted by animal bites and scratches, usually via saliva
Rabies is a serious public health problem in over 150 countries, including Vietnam, and it causes tens of thousands of deaths annually. The disease is transmitted by animal bites and scratches, usually via saliva. All mammals are susceptible to rabies, but certain species are at higher risk of transmitting the virus to people. These include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and mongooses. In up to 99% of human rabies cases, dogs are responsible for virus transmission. Cats, dogs, and ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies.
In Vietnam, animal-bite treatment is divided across two health systems: curative and preventive. The curative health system provides wound treatment at district and provincial hospitals. There are 780 designated rabies biologics centers in Vietnam, 659 (84%) of which provide rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), vaccine, or both. The average cost to patients is $8.45 for one dose of IM injection, $13.90 for domestic eRIG, and $23 for imported eRIG.
Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries. If you wake up in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see, and the bat may have licked your skin and transmitted the virus that way. If you have been bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, you should immediately and always seek PEP care.
Rabies prevention and control have been a focus of government and international partner investment in Vietnam, which has played a substantial role in reducing human rabies deaths from 404 cases in 1992 to 91 cases in 2016. The country vaccinates an average of 439,692 patients per year. However, while rabies biologics are widely available in Vietnam, more work is needed to provide an affordable and reliable supply.
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Rabies prevention includes avoiding contact with animals and supervising pets
Rabies is a deadly disease that is almost always fatal if symptoms develop. It is transmitted from the saliva of infected animals to humans, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa, such as the eyes, mouth, or open wounds. The good news is that rabies is preventable if you are treated quickly after exposure. Here are some essential tips to prevent rabies by avoiding contact with animals and supervising pets:
Avoid Contact with Wild Animals
Keep your distance from wild animals, especially in areas where rabies is endemic, such as rural and developing regions. Bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes are commonly associated with rabies. In developing countries, stray and domestic dogs are the most common carriers of rabies. Avoid touching or feeding unknown animals, and do not allow them to lick open wounds or come into contact with your eyes or mouth. If you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping, assume they have been bitten, as bat bites can be hard to see, and seek immediate medical attention.
Supervise Your Pets
Ensure your pets' vaccinations are up-to-date, including dogs, cats, ferrets, and any other pets that can be vaccinated. Supervise your pets when outdoors, and do not let them roam freely without supervision. Keep your pets confined, especially when travelling to new areas, to prevent them from coming into contact with potentially infected animals.
Take Precautions When Travelling
If you are travelling to a country where rabies is common, consult your healthcare provider to assess your risk and consider getting the rabies vaccine. Wash your hands often, especially before eating, and avoid touching your face. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to keep wild animals away, especially when camping or exploring caves.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, seek medical attention immediately. Contact your healthcare provider even if you are unsure whether you have been exposed to rabies, as early treatment is crucial. Be prepared to answer questions about the animal and the nature of the exposure. If the wound is deep, won't stop bleeding, or is on your face or neck, go to the emergency room right away.
By following these precautions and staying vigilant, you can effectively prevent rabies by avoiding contact with potentially infected animals and supervising your pets.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, rabies shots are available in hospitals in Vietnam. Rabies is a deadly disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so it is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten or scratched by an animal.
Rabies is endemic in Vietnam, and the country has around 100 human rabies deaths each year. Most of these cases are caused by dog bites, with up to 99% of transmissions being linked to domestic dogs.
The average cost of a rabies shot in Vietnam is $8.45 per dose, with prices ranging from $5.43 to $12.77.
