VIETNAM

According to the Vietnam Rabies Control Program, rabies deaths are on the rise in recent years. In 2007, there were 125 deaths nationwide compared with 34 cases in 2003. However, unofficial estimates by the Ministry of Health suggest that the total number of deaths per year could be closer to 500; more than half of which are children less than 18 years of age. The goal of this project is to reduce the number of people, particularly children, who are bitten by dogs and dying of rabies in Vietnam. The project has three specific objectives: to educate 2,000 school children in three schools in the selected districts; to increase number of dogs vaccinated by 100% and decrease dog-bitten cases by 90% compared with the previous years; and to increase prevention efforts and resources for rabies control in Vietnam at the local and national levels.

As of July 30, 2009 the activities that have been carried out are:

• Organized workshop including these paticipants: authorities, education, veterinary and health staff of prevention center 
• Organized a training course for teachers in 3 communes where there are schools
• Printed leaflets and distributed to pupils in 3 schools
• Propaganda on voice of 3 communes
• Statistics gathered on the dog population in 3 communes
• Statistics gathered for humans bitten by dogs in 3 communes in 2008, and from Jan. to June 2009