3-year-old child dies of rabies after stray dog bite in Vietnam’s Gia Lai

The victim, Rmah K., from Ia Dreng Commune, Chu Puh District, was bitten on the hand while accompanying their parents to a farm in Ia Ko Commune, Chu Se District.

Due to limited awareness about rabies prevention, the child’s parents did not seek medical advice or take the baby for rabies vaccination after the bite.

On April 25, Rmah K. began showing symptoms of rabies, including high fever, agitation, screaming, loss of appetite, and seizures.

The child was taken to Chu Puh District Medical Center and later transferred to Gia Lai Pediatric Hospital.

By that time, however, the disease had progressed rapidly, leading to respiratory failure and severe seizures.

The family decided to bring K. home, where the baby passed away on April 27.

Following an epidemiological investigation, local health authorities identified three individuals who may have been exposed to the rabies virus through contact with the victim.

These individuals were advised to receive rabies vaccinations and are under medical monitoring.

Gia Lai Province remains one of the country’s hotspots for rabies-related deaths caused by dog bites.

Several fatal rabies cases have already been reported in the province since the beginning of 2025.