Rabies
Rabies

Rabies in Viet Nam

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms. In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. Yet, rabies can affect both domestic and wild animals. It is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via saliva.

Rabies is present on all continents, except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and Africa regions.

Rabies is one of the neglected tropical diseases that predominantly affect poor and vulnerable populations who live in remote rural locations.

There is currently no effective treatment for rabies after clinical signs appear. However, the disease is preventable through vaccination either before or immediately after an exposure.

Rabies kills more than 70 people in Viet Nam each year and most of rabies cases in the country are caused by the bite of rabid dogs.

Technical links

End human rabies deaths by 2030

WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) came together in 2015 to adopt a common strategy to "end human rabies deaths by 2030" and formed the United Against Rabies collaboration.

Post prophylaxis vaccination

Post prophylaxis vaccination against rabies is key to saving lives after being bitten by a rabid dog.

Dog vaccination

Dogs’ vaccination reduces human infection reporting dog bites and suspected rabid animal can prevent the spread of rabies.

Deaths from rabies

Globally, over 59 000 people die of rabies each year.
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