Inter-sectoral cooperation on prevention of rabies in Vietnam

Rabies fatality rate is up to almost 100% yet it is also 100% preventable. Rabies can be eliminated by dog vaccination and prevention of spreading rabies virus to humans, rabies vaccination for those who have been exposed. This is the only evidence-based rabies elimination strategy.

In recent years, Viet Nam has made huge progress in rabies elimination thanks to joint efforts between human and animal health sector. Number of deaths reported by the beginning of 2014 was 50, decreased by 31 cases compared to the same period last year. Overall, the number of deaths recorded marked a considerable decrease, while the number of provinces reported with rabies raised from 20 in 2013 to 24 provinces this year. Rabies deaths now distribute in not only mountainous but also plain area, which emphasizes the necessity of continued national effort in order to reach the ASEAN target on Rabies Elimination by 2020.

28 September has become the day for worldwide collaboration on rabies prevention, also known as the World Rabies day of activism and awareness. Reflecting the inter-sectoral “One Health” approach between human health and animal health sectors in Vietnam, the selected theme this year was “Together Against Rabies”. Generally, dogs are disgraced for spreading rabies, however dog vaccination will thoroughly prevent rabies pathogens and rabies transmission thereafter, contributing to rabies elimination.

Celebration of the World Rabies day this year provided the opportunity for community, authorities and human health and animal health experts from 28 cities/provinces at high risk for rabies to gather in Hoa Binh province. A new set of raising rabies awareness materials, including flyers and posters, has been distributed to local government agencies of provinces with low access to tools for rabies vaccination and prevention communication. The exchange program was designed for raising secondary students’ rabies awareness and putting forward 5-side commitment among Hoa Binh Province People’s Committee, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, WHO, FAO on collaboration towards absolute elimination of rabies in Vietnam. 

Elimination of rabies in Vietnam by 2020 requires an integrated and sustainable politic commitment, based on human health and animal health services. Close cooperation among different GoV agencies is a must and can be improved through the World Rabies Day. Leadership and commitment from local government agencies of provinces at high risk will act a crucial role in prevention and control rabies.