A 19-month-old girl was admitted to Quang Ngai Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital at noon on 17/5 with multiple bleeding lacerations on her head and cheek. Doctors quickly provided first aid, stopped the bleeding, treated her wounds, and administered a rabies vaccine before surgical repair.

Her family reported that while the child was using the restroom, two dogs fighting over food suddenly rushed towards her, and one bit her. The incident occurred quickly, preventing family members from intervening. The two dogs were family pets and had not been vaccinated against rabies.

This marks the second severe dog bite injury to a child admitted to the hospital in about two weeks, coinciding with Quang Ngai's peak hot season.

Previously, on the afternoon of 9/5, a 5-year-old boy from Ba Gia commune was admitted in a state of panic after a German shepherd attacked him, leaving a 25 cm laceration on his head that exposed his skull. Following surgery, his health is stable.

Hot weather increases the risk of dog bite incidents and rabies. Children are particularly vulnerable to head attacks due to their height, which places their heads at a dog's eye level. Parents should not allow young children to play with dogs or cats without adult supervision, even with household pets.

If a child is bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately clean the wound under running water and seek prompt medical attention for treatment and vaccination. Pets should be monitored for several days after an incident—do not kill or lose them—to assess the risk of rabies.

Doctors advise parents against allowing children to approach dogs when they are eating, sleeping, or agitated. Avoid provoking pets and ensure they receive full vaccinations.

Pham Linh