Vietnam’s ‘dramatic’ rabies surge kills 29 people in four months

In Vietnam, a surge in rabies has killed 29 people this year—and health officials warn more deaths are likely as the disease “flourishes” in Vietnam’s dog meat trade. Driving factors: 

Unvaccinated animals: Vietnam has low dog vaccination rates, per the WHO; and the nation’s dog and cat meat trade “encourages this mass production of dogs who aren’t vaccinated,” said Lola Webber, director of Humane Society International’s Ending Dog Meat campaign.

• 5 million dogs and 1 million cats are trafficked and slaughtered in Vietnam each year.

Lack of interventions: In remote areas, people who are bitten often can’t access vaccines or lifesaving therapeutics.

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