According to information from the National Children's Hospital, a 7-year-old patient from Ha Tinh was brought to the hospital in a suspected state of having encephalitis caused by the rabies virus.
According to information from the National Children's Hospital, a 7-year-old patient from Ha Tinh was brought to the hospital in a suspected state of having encephalitis caused by the rabies virus.
The child had received three doses of rabies vaccine, but still had symptoms of fever, convulsions, and weakness in the limbs. After being treated at a local hospital without improvement, the family transferred the child to the National Children's Hospital. Currently, the child is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit, Tropical Disease Center of the hospital.
Doctors say rabies is caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans and directly affects the central nervous system.
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Although preventable with a vaccine, once clinical symptoms of rabies develop, the mortality rate is almost 100%. In 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for transmitting the rabies virus to humans, although rabies can also be transmitted from wild animals.
Globally, rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths each year, mainly in Asia (59.6%) and Africa (36.4%). In Vietnam, rabies has appeared for many years and has become one of the most dangerous infectious diseases, causing a mortality rate of nearly 100% when clinical symptoms appear.
According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, from 2017 to 2021, an average of more than 70 deaths were recorded each year due to rabies. In 2024, the country recorded more than 80 deaths from this disease in 33 provinces and cities, with high numbers of deaths in Binh Thuan (10 cases), Dak Lak (7 cases), Nghe An (7 cases) and Gia Lai (6 cases). Although there is a vaccine, vaccination rates for dogs and cats in some areas remain low, making the risk of rabies infection very high.
To prevent rabies, doctors recommend that families vaccinate their pets, especially dogs, including puppies. In addition, people at high risk (such as veterinarians, animal handlers, cave explorers, virus workers, and people traveling to endemic areas) should get vaccinated against rabies.
When bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, licking an open wound, or coming into contact with animal saliva, the patient should wash the wound under running water for at least 15 minutes as soon as possible.
The wound should be cleaned with soap, iodine alcohol, 70-degree alcohol, or other disinfectants. The patient should then go to a medical facility for advice and to receive rabies vaccine and anti-rabies serum.
The Department of Preventive Medicine warns that there is no specific treatment for rabies but it is completely preventable. People need to proactively vaccinate all dogs and cats, and re-vaccinate according to veterinary recommendations.
In addition, avoid contact with animals showing unusual signs, especially children. When bitten by a dog or cat, wash the wound immediately under running water for 15 minutes, then disinfect with 70% alcohol or antiseptic.
Complete and timely vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies. The usual vaccination schedule includes 5 doses within 1 month (0-3-7-14-28 days). If you have been vaccinated, when bitten, only 2 more doses are needed without the need for rabies immune serum.
To reduce the risk of rabies, the Ministry of Health recommends strengthening the management of dog and cat herds, controlling the trade in dog and cat meat, and strictly handling establishments that trade in animals of unknown origin. Health agencies and local authorities need to step up rabies prevention propaganda, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.
Experts also recommend that getting vaccinated against rabies before exposure is the most effective way to protect your health. Although some people are concerned about side effects from vaccines, new generation vaccines have reduced side effects, especially those related to the nervous system.
Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai from the Safpo/Potec vaccination system recommends that getting vaccinated against rabies before exposure is the most effective way to protect your health. Early vaccination not only reduces the number of injections needed but also simplifies the treatment process later.
Although many people are concerned about the side effects of the vaccine, Dr. Hai said that the new generation of rabies vaccines produced with modern technology has minimized side effects, especially problems related to the nervous system.
Rabies remains a major threat to public health, especially in remote areas. The Ministry of Health has called on health agencies and local authorities to step up rabies prevention education, especially in areas with low vaccination rates and uncontrolled stray dog populations.
Authorities should also closely monitor rabies vaccination of pets and control the trade in wild animals and dog and cat meat. Implementing these measures will help reduce the risk of rabies spreading, protect public health and minimize future deaths.
Rabies remains a major threat to public health, especially in remote areas. The Ministry of Health calls on people to take the initiative in preventing rabies to protect their own health and that of the community.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/benh-nhi-mac-viem-nao-vi-benh-dai-d250613.html
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