On 16/7, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, deputy director of the Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, reported that a young patient was admitted with approximately 10 deep lacerations to the right side of his face, resulting in significant bleeding and a tear near his lower eyelid. Doctors immediately controlled the bleeding and administered rabies immunoglobulin around the wound to neutralize the virus and prevent it from reaching the central nervous system.

The child received rabies vaccinations and tetanus antitoxin. The medical team closed the facial wounds with about 20 stitches. After 4 days of treatment, the boy's condition gradually improved, and the wounds are healing well.

Medical staff administering an injection. Photo: Quynh Tran

Dr. Tien advised parents to educate their children about safe interactions with dogs, emphasizing the importance of avoiding teasing or playing directly in front of them. This not only prevents physical harm but also mitigates the risk of rabies transmission.

Even seemingly minor dog bites require immediate medical attention, including wound care and rabies prevention measures. Rabies remains incurable, with a near 100% mortality rate. Just over 10 days ago, an 11-year-old boy in Lao Cai died from rabies from an unknown source.

Le Phuong