A man died from rabies following a bite by his pet dog in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam earlier this week, while his eight close contacts have needed consultation for possible health problems, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The VNA quoted the Center for Disease Control of Phu Yen as saying on Thursday that L.X.D., 45, living in Tay Hoa District, was bitten on the finger by his pet dog, which was not vaccinated against rabies, at the beginning of last December.

D. only used a type of antiseptic liquid to disinfect the bite, without going to a medical facility for rabies vaccination.

The man showed symptoms of a fever and fatigue on March 9 and took over-the-counter drugs, but his bad health conditions did not improve.

Two days later, his family took him to Phu Yen General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with rabies, but doctors could do nothing about his conditions and they discharged him on the same day.

He then went into direct interaction with many people at home.

The patient showed symptoms of abdominal distension, lethargy, muscle weakness, drooling, and loss of appetite on Monday and succumbed to the disease at home on Tuesday morning.

The Center for Disease Control of Phu Yen has determined that at least eight people were either in close contact with D. or bitten by his family’s pet dog.

The center has guided all of these people to medical facilities for health consultation.

The Medical Center of Tay Hoa District also treated D.’s house and its vicinity with chemicals, and the local veterinary agency organized rabies vaccination for dogs and cats.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!