According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, a 63-year-old man from Hai Hoa hamlet, Long Hai commune, was bitten on his right ankle by a local dog that had recently given birth to 5 puppies. The incident occurred on the afternoon of 12/1, leaving four deep, bleeding wounds. He performed first aid at home and then visited a nearby vaccination facility, where he was advised to seek care at a higher-level hospital due to his underlying high blood pressure.
Due to difficult circumstances and needing to care for two grandchildren with mental disorders, he did not go to a hospital. Instead, he sought out a woman named Ba Tu in Phuoc Tho hamlet, who treated him with a folk remedy known as "venom extraction" (lay noc). He then continued to change bandages and clean the wounds himself. On the evening of 17/2, he experienced fatigue and difficulty breathing, attributing it to old age. By the morning of 18/2, his condition worsened significantly, with severe breathing difficulties and classic rabies symptoms such as photophobia, aerophobia, and phonophobia. He was rushed to Ba Ria General Hospital.
The rabies symptoms intensely flared up. He showed fear of wind from electric fans or air conditioners, sunlight, and especially developed hydrophobia. Each attempt to drink water resulted in a severe choking sensation in his throat, making swallowing impossible. Doctors confirmed the onset of rabies, and his family requested to take him home. He passed away on 19/2.
An investigation revealed that the same dog had previously bitten a lottery vendor, who had been vaccinated and remained stable. The rabid dog then chased two motorcyclists unsuccessfully before residents beat it to death. Its carcass, along with its 5 puppies, was discarded in the mountains.
This marks the first rabies case in Long Hai commune this year. The area previously recorded one rabies case in 2024. Around the patient's residence, 20 households have one stray dog and 5 pet dogs, none of which have been vaccinated against rabies. Currently, no abnormalities have been reported among these animals.
Once rabies symptoms appear, the fatality rate is 100%. It is crucial not to treat dog or cat bites with traditional herbal medicine, leaf poultices, or folk healers performing "venom extraction". After an animal scratch or bite, individuals must thoroughly wash the wound with soap under running water, then immediately go to the nearest medical facility for timely advice on vaccination and anti-rabies serum, without any delay or interruption.
Le Phuong
