It is necessary to strictly handle the situation of quacks treating rabies, causing death.

8 people died from rabies and quack medicine

Information from Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control: From the beginning of 2024 to present, the province has recorded 8 cases of infection and death due torabiesin Thanh Chuong district (3 cases), Con Cuong district (1 case), Que Phong district (1 case), Tan Ky district (1 case), Nghia Dan district (1 case), Quynh Luu (1 case). The number of rabies cases and deaths in 2024 is the same as in 2023. All 8 deaths were not vaccinated against rabies; they went to traditional healers and used traditional medicine to treat rabies.

In case of patient death due torabiesThe latest case was recorded in Quynh Luu district. The patient is Mrs. CTQ (74 years old). Epidemiological investigation revealed that: The patient was bitten by a dog at home about 2 months before the onset of the disease. The patient did not receive any treatment, did not get vaccinated, and continued to live normally at home. After that, the patient went to a traditional healer's house to test for rabies and was told she did not have rabies.

The story of people who, after being bitten by dogs or cats with rabies, did not get vaccinated but instead sought treatment from quacks, only to die... is truly reprehensible. More than anyone else, the patients themselves and their family members must be held responsible for this death due to lack of knowledge. Next, it is the responsibility of the quacks. These people clearly know that herbal medicine cannot cure rabies but still accept treatment, leading to tragic deaths.

It is worth mentioning that at this time, in the province, there are many quacks practicing, using unscientific methods to detect rabies, using traditional medicine to treat rabies. Every year, thousands of people are bitten by dogs and cats without getting vaccinated against rabies and anti-rabies serum but still seek help from quacks.

Why are quacks still alive?

Recently, the Medical Center of Cua Lo town (old) conducted supervision on the use of herbal medicine to treat rabies of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, address 41, Nguyen Trong Dat street, Tran Phu block, Nghi Huong ward, Cua Lo town (old). In Mr. Hung's notebook recording information about cases coming for treatment, from the beginning of 2024 to November 30, 2024, there were 273 cases coming to try and get herbal medicine at Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung's house to treat rabies, including 244 people from Nghe An province.

A medical officer in the delegation said: On December 3, 2024, the center issued Official Dispatch No. 720/BC-TTYT on the results of monitoring the person organizing the examination and treatment of rabies with traditional medicine; handing over the case to Nghi Huong Ward People's Committee for inspection and handling according to regulations.

“We know that traditional healers who treat rabies cause death, but these traditional healers still exist and have a place to live?”. Doctor Tran Nguyen Truyen - Chief Inspector of the Department of Health said: According to regulations, those who practice private medicine and pharmacy must be managed, if they violate, they must be handled according to the provisions of the law, in some cases, prosecution is required. To handle the above case, the “information book” is just a document to fight and force the violator to admit his actions. Finding evidence for handling is not simple, it is necessary to catch the violator red-handed, requiring the participation of many forces and fighting with many measures.

According to Master, Doctor Nguyen Trong Di - Deputy Head of the Department of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Nghe An Province Center for Disease Control: Many people mistakenly believe that there are cases where people who were bitten by a dog and brought to a witch doctor were cured. But in reality, the dog that bit the person did not have rabies. When bitten by a rabid dog, not 100% of people get rabies, some get it and some do not. The risk of rabies infection depends on the amount of virus in the dog's saliva, whether the wound is deep or not, and whether it breaks the skin. Every year, Vietnam in general and Nghe An in particular have had dozens of people die unjustly because quacks examined them, gave them medicine, and then left them without getting vaccinated... Quacks exist "on the basis of luck and ignorance of the people".

Strengthen communication and handle violations

To prevent rabies, the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control of Nghe An province have issued many directives, plans, telegrams, and documents on preventing infectious diseases in general and rabies in particular...

Regarding the handling of establishments and individuals propagating and using traditional medicine to treat rabies, in November 2022, Nghe An Department of Health issued an official dispatch on strengthening rabies prevention and control and limiting the use of traditional medicine to treat rabies in the province.

In fact, the number of deaths due to rabies has not decreased, and many people still believe in quacks, especially quacks who are still practicing. This shows that: The directives have not been strictly implemented. This responsibility belongs to the authorities, especially local authorities in the management of medical and pharmaceutical practice in the area; as well as communication and education to raise awareness of people and the community about rabies.

On December 11, 2024, Nghe An Department of Health continued to issue Document No. 4268/SYT-NVY "on strengthening measures to prevent rabies". Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Health said: The Department of Health requests the People's Committees of districts, towns, Vinh city and medical units in the area: Step up communication work on the dangers of rabies and note not to treat rabies with measures not recognized by the Ministry of Health. Establish interdisciplinary inspection teams with the participation of the police force, organize regular inspections of establishments that propagate and use herbal medicine to treat rabies for people bitten by dogs and cats; strictly handle cases of using herbal medicine to treat rabies that affect people's health.

The Department of Health assigned the Inspection Department to preside over and coordinate with the Provincial Center for Disease Control and relevant departments and units to advise on measures to handle establishments that propagate and use herbal medicine to treat rabies for people bitten by dogs and cats./.