Around 5 PM on 27/7, a black dog of unknown origin entered the yard of Thuong's home in Hoi Lam village, Son Cam Ha commune (formerly Tien Phuoc district, Quang Nam province), and bit her 5-year-old son. While chasing the dog away, Thuong was also bitten. The next morning, on 28/7, both mother and son went to the medical center to receive rabies vaccinations.

Authorities retrieved a sample from the deceased dog in Hoi Lam village on 28/7 for testing. Results from the Regional Animal Health Diagnostic Center No. II confirmed the dog was infected with rabies.

Medical staff take a sample from the dog that attacked residents. Photo: Son Cam Ha

Medical staff take a sample from the dog that attacked residents. Photo: Son Cam Ha

Pham Viet Hau, chairman of the Son Cam Ha commune People's Committee, said that in addition to Thuong and her son, another woman and two teenagers in Hoi Lam village were also bitten by the dog. All victims have received vaccinations and are currently in good health.

Authorities have investigated and confirmed that the rabid dog had contact with dogs from five households in Hoi Lam village. "We have asked these households to confine their dogs for observation and avoid letting them roam freely, which poses a potential danger," Hau said.

There are 1,246 dogs in Son Cam Ha commune, of which 911 (over 73%) have been vaccinated. Hoi Lam village alone has 122 dogs, 95 of which (over 77%) have been vaccinated. The commune is working quickly to complete vaccinations for all dogs in the area.

Nguyen Dong

*The victim's name has been changed.