Rabid dog bites 11 in southern Vietnam

The attack occurred as the victims were exercising, with the dog exhibiting symptoms of rabies, including drooling and agitation, the Dinh Quan District medical center said Wednesday, Tuoi Tre reported.

The dog, of unknown ownership, was captured following the incident. Tests conducted on Tuesday confirmed the animal was rabid.

All victims received immediate medical treatment, including rabies vaccines and anti-rabies serum, as reported by Dan Tri.

Rabies remains a global health threat, with the World Health Organization reporting over 10 million people requiring post-exposure prophylaxis annually due to bites from rabid or suspected rabid animals. The disease results in 60,000-70,000 deaths each year. Once symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal.

In Vietnam, rabies causes approximately 75 deaths annually, with hundreds of thousands receiving treatment for bites from dogs and cats.