5 people in Ho Chi Minh City die from rabies

Ho Chi Minh City has registered five deaths due to rabies in the first half of 2026, highlighting a concerning public health issue. Three of these fatalities occurred in Long Hai commune, with one case each in Cu Chi and Hoa Hiep communes. A critical factor in all these tragic outcomes is that none of the victims had received rabies vaccinations or the necessary post-exposure prophylaxis, underscoring a gap in preventive care.

Compounding the problem, approximately 40% of those affected did not receive proper wound treatment. Practices such as attempting to extract venom, applying medicinal oils, or using traditional remedies delayed critical medical intervention, leading to the loss of the "golden window" for effective treatment. Across the southern region, 20 rabies deaths were reported in the same period, with a national total of 30 fatalities nationwide.

Health experts point to the current intense heat as a contributing factor to the increased risk of rabies outbreaks. The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) has directed enhanced efforts to combat rabies and is collaborating with veterinary agencies on disease surveillance, public health education, and outbreak management. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable with prompt and correct post-exposure treatment. The HCDC urges individuals bitten or scratched by dogs or cats to immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes, followed by disinfection with alcohol or iodine, before seeking medical attention for vaccination.