New rabies outbreak detected in Vietnam’s Quang Ngai

The rabies outbreak was first discovered on October 7, when residents noticed a dog showing abnormal behavior including lethargy, excessive drooling, red eyes, and aggression toward other dogs.

Locals later beat the animal to death, and samples were sent for testing.

On October 9, an animal disease diagnostic laboratory under the National Center for Veterinary Diagnosis No. 2 confirmed that the sample tested positive for the rabies virus.

Following the confirmation, the administration of Tho Phong Commune activated emergency disease control measures in coordination with the provincial Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department, launching containment, culling suspected animals, and disinfecting the affected area.

According to local statistics, the outbreak zone includes 67 households with 79 dogs, but only seven have been vaccinated against rabies, which is a very low rate.

Eleven dogs identified as high-risk are now under close observation.

Four dogs showing unusual symptoms have been culled, and authorities have instructed residents not to let canines roam freely, avoid direct contact, and refrain from slaughtering dogs or consuming dog meat from suspected animals.

Ngo Thanh Phuong, head of the commune’s Public Service Center, said the locality has requested additional vaccines from the provincial veterinary authority to carry out emergency vaccinations and disinfection measures.

“Vaccination is being deployed urgently while veterinary teams continue to monitor the situation and raise public awareness about rabies prevention to ensure community safety,” Phuong said.