Rabies vaccine demand rises as dog bites increase amid prolonged heat in Vietnam

Southern Tay Ninh Province has recorded seven rabies-related deaths since the beginning of 2026, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Health experts say prolonged hot weather, holiday travel and seasonal changes are increasing the risk of animal aggression and rabies transmission.

High temperatures are believed to make animals more irritable, leading to more bite incidents.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday, Dr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc, head of the general clinic at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, said demand for rabies prevention has increased in early 2026.

In the first three months of the year, the institute recorded around 2,200-2,500 people receiving rabies vaccine injections per month, of whom 300-500 also got rabies immunoglobulin.

Compared with the last quarter of 2025, vaccine demand increased about 10 percent, while immunoglobulin use rose 30 percent.

He said the rise was mainly driven by a higher number of dog bite cases, including exposures linked to suspected rabies hotspots.

Increased travel during the recent Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, combined with prolonged heat, has further elevated exposure risks.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control recently reported a rabies death involving a 63-year-old man in the city’s Long Hai Commune, who died more than a month after being bitten by a dog.

Officials said the man received initial wound care and a first dose of rabies vaccine but did not complete the full treatment course due to personal circumstances.

He later developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with rabies and died after being hospitalized.

Authorities noted that the dog involved had previously bitten another person who promptly received vaccination and remained healthy.

The animal later became more aggressive and attempted to attack others.

Experts say rabies vaccination coverage among pets remains uneven across Vietnam.

Urban areas generally report higher compliance, while rural and remote regions still face challenges, including unvaccinated animals and free-roaming dogs.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, the city now has more than 172,000 households raising over 310,000 dogs and cats.

However, data from the Pasteur Institute shows that vaccination coverage in animals remained under 50 percent as of October 2025, far below the threshold needed to achieve herd immunity. Cases continue to be reported in multiple localities, particularly in densely populated areas.

Doctors also warn that many people still make critical mistakes after being bitten by dogs or cats, including underestimating the risk or turning to traditional remedies instead of seeking medical care.

Health officials stress that proper first aid includes washing the wound thoroughly with soap under running water for at least 15 minutes.

People are advised to seek prompt medical consultation and timely rabies treatment after exposure, as vaccination remains the only effective way to prevent rabies.

Self-treatment or visiting traditional healers is strongly discouraged.

According to the Department of Disease Prevention under the Ministry of Health, Vietnam spends more than VND1 trillion (US$38 million) each year on rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin for post-exposure treatment alone.

Despite this, the country still records 70-90 rabies deaths annually, with low vaccination coverage among an estimated seven million dogs and cats remaining a major challenge.