Man in Dong Nai Dies from Rabies After Dog Licks Open Wound — Alarming Spike in Cases
A 54-year-old man in Dong Nai, Vietnam, tragically died of rabies after being licked on an open wound by a suspected rabid dog. Mr. N.K.H., from Thach Man hamlet in Tan Loi commune, ignored medical treatment and did not receive a rabies vaccine or antiserum.
According to officials, the dog became unusually aggressive in mid-June, killing two other dogs before Mr. H. beat it to death. Nearly a month later, on July 10, he began showing classic rabies symptoms—hydrophobia, photophobia, and anxiety. Despite being monitored, he passed away just seven days later. Tests from the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases confirmed he was positive for the rabies virus.
The outbreak worsened when another unvaccinated 20kg dog belonging to Mr. H.’s family bit four neighbors and tested positive for rabies on July 25.
Alarmingly, 40 pets in nearby homes had never been vaccinated. Local authorities are now urging strict control: mandatory vaccinations, muzzling of pets, and the capture of strays. Communities are being warned—rabies is preventable, but only with vigilance and responsible pet ownership.
