Tragic Rabies Case in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Highlights Urgent Need for Awareness and Action

BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU - In a tragic turn of events, another fatal case of rabies has been confirmed in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu province. Dr. Dương Thanh, the director of Bà Rịa Hospital, reported that the patient, a 32-year-old male from Phước Bình Hamlet in Phước Tỉnh Commune, succumbed to the disease after exhibiting severe symptoms consistent with rabies infection. The individual was known to work in the slaughtering of dogs and cats and operated a restaurant specializing in dog and cat meat in Phước Hưng Commune. His profession raised concerns about potential exposure to the rabies virus, which is often transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. On December 17, the patient began to feel unwell, experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath. His family sought medical attention, and he was initially taken to Chợ Rẫy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, where medical professionals diagnosed him with rabies. Following this diagnosis, he was transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, where an RT-PCR test confirmed the presence of the rabies virus. Remarkably, the patient was discharged just one day after being diagnosed. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated. By the morning of December 19, the patient exhibited severe symptoms of rabies and was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department at Bà Rịa Hospital. He arrived in a semi-conscious state, exhibiting agitation, hyperactivity, and frothing at the mouth, accompanied by full-body muscle spasms. Despite receiving sedative treatments, his condition worsened, culminating in seizures and severe cyanosis. In a desperate move, his family requested to take him home, but tragically, he passed away shortly after at Bà Rịa Hospital. In light of this devastating incident, the provincial health department has taken immediate action, advising individuals who were in direct contact with the patient to monitor their health closely and adhere to vaccination schedules for rabies. Local health authorities have also undertaken disinfection efforts at the patient’s residence and areas where animals were kept, utilizing Cloramin B to mitigate any risk of further transmission. Moreover, efforts to heighten public awareness regarding rabies prevention are being ramped up. Authorities are actively encouraging residents to vaccinate their pets as a crucial step in protecting both animal and human health within the community. Rabies is a preventable viral disease, yet it remains a significant public health concern, particularly in regions where populations have frequent interactions with dogs and cats. The recent case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and awareness in the fight against this deadly disease.