Diseases and epidemics have ravaged localities nationwide in the first nine months of the year.
A rabies patient
Rabies is one of several re-emerging diseases and is the second leading cause of death, with 96% of the victims infected by dogs, with the remainder affected by cats as people have been ignorant in not giving their pets vaccines.
The Ministry of Health said the number of deaths from rabies is increasing. In 2011, there were 110 cases of rabies, 40 more compare to the last year. In the first nine months of 2012, the country had 74 cases mostly in the northern region.
The Ministry of Health has set up a goal to completely control rabies by 2015.
Asides from rabies, the country has suffered from other diseases. Although there were no reports of A/H5N1 in 2011 four cases were discovered in 2012 with two fatalities. New outbreaks have occurred in many localities, posing huge threats of epidemic.
Dengue fever also appeared this year with 58,000 cases and 46 fatalities. Dengue fever cases increased 19% and fatalities rose 12% compared to 2011.
The newly appeared brain-eating amoeba has also worried people.
Although malaria has been largely contained, it broke out again in Dac Nong Province with 420 cases, an 80% increase over last year.
Added to the mix was the highly infectious hand-foot-mouth disease. As of September 30, there had been 110,670 cases and 41 fatalities across 15 provinces and cities. In just two weeks of October there were 6,000 cases and one death.
The bizarre skin disease characterized by thickened skin (keratosis) over the palms and soles, causing stiffness in the limbs and ulcers on victims’ hands and feet that look like burns appeared in Quang Ngai Province causing 13 deaths.
According to the Ministry of Health, the situation can partially be blamed on poor disease prevention activities. Data collection has also encountered difficulties at locations near border areas and therefore caused problems in preventing diseases entering Vietnam.
The Ministry of Health will continue to public awareness education on health.
