A resident walks a dog without a muzzle in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health released the figures on Saturday ahead of World Rabies Day on September 28, which carries the theme 'Stronger Together,' while launching a series of communication and inter-agency surveillance activities to raise public awareness of rabies prevention.
According to the department, the six deaths were recorded in Cu Chi Commune, Hoa Hiep Commune, and Long Hai Commune.
Meanwhile, local medical facilities have received 101,384 people who were bitten or scratched by dogs, cats or other domestic animals since the beginning of the year, up 11.2 percent from the same period in 2025.
Of these, 12,560 people were attacked by animals showing unusual signs, including roaming freely, going missing, being sick or displaying symptoms suspected to be rabies.
Surveillance in Long Hai Commune alone recorded 128 reports of residents being bitten by dogs suspected of carrying rabies.
Of particular concern, epidemiological investigations found that none of the people who died had received rabies vaccines or antiserum after being bitten.
The health department attributed the situation mainly to people underestimating the risk, believing that their wounds were minor or that dogs kept at home posed no danger.
Some also turned to traditional remedies, such as herbal medicine, applying leaves to wounds or attempting to squeeze out blood from the bite, instead of seeking medical care.
To meet demand for post-exposure treatment, Ho Chi Minh City now has 202 rabies vaccination sites, including 53 public facilities, along with 18 sites providing rabies antiserum.
As part of this year's campaign, the health sector has worked with the agriculture sector, including the Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Veterinary Medicine, and local authorities to strengthen rabies prevention and surveillance under a One Health approach.
A citywide rally will be held at 2:00 pm on September 28, with the event live-streamed to medical stations and commune-, ward- and special-zone authorities.
The event will review inter-agency coordination and promote measures to manage dog and cat populations and monitor people exposed to rabies.
The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) is also stepping up digital communication campaigns.
An online discussion featuring medical and veterinary experts will be broadcast at 10:00 am on September 28 via the HCDC's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
HCDC has also released a collection of videos, infographics and podcasts through its digital data platform to support grassroots health workers in public communication.
Rabies is a highly dangerous infectious disease that is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear.
However, the disease is preventable if people properly treat wounds after being bitten or scratched by animals, or after an animal licks an open wound, and receive rabies vaccines and antiserum when indicated.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health advises residents to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies every year, keep dogs from roaming freely, and use a muzzle and leash when taking them into public places.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a dog or cat, or licked on an open wound, should immediately wash the wound with soap under running water for at least 15 minutes, disinfect it, and seek medical care for timely advice and vaccination.
The department also advises against using herbal remedies, applying leaves, attempting to squeeze out blood from the bite, or relying on unverified traditional treatments for rabies.
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