11 deaths from rabies in Gia Lai

On September 22, the Medical Center of Krong Pa district, Gia Lai province informed about a death case due to rabies, Ksor K (8 years old, Jrai ethnic group, residing in Chu Krih hamlet, Chu Drang commune, Krong Pa district).

K's family said that because they did not know when the dog bit him, they did not get him vaccinated against rabies. When K had symptoms of fever and fatigue, the family bought medicine for him to take but it did not help.

On September 12, K was taken to the Krong Pa District Medical Center with symptoms of fever, cough, and fatigue. There, he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis and given antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

By the evening of the same day, the child showed signs of serious illness so he was transferred to Phu Yen Province Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital and diagnosed with rabies.

On September 15, K was transferred to Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City in a coma. He was tested, the result was positive for rabies virus and on September 20, K died.

Previously, on September 2, in Pleiku City, there was also a death due to being bitten by a cat but not vaccinated against rabies. The victim was Mr. D (34 years old, residing in Ia Kenh commune).

Thus, as of September 22, Gia Lai province had 11 deaths due to rabies, the highest in the Central Highlands region.

Faced with this situation, the authorities have educated people about the dangers of rabies, proactively vaccinated them when bitten by dogs or cats; advised dog and cat owners to leash and muzzle their dogs when they let them roam free. In particular, people need to go to medical facilities to get vaccinated against rabies when bitten by dogs or cats.