An Evaluation of the Rabies Surveillance in Southern Vietnam.

Quang Duy Pham,Thuy Phuong Thi Nguyen,Quang Chan Luong,Thuong Vu Nguyen,Quan Minh Ngoc Doan,Lan Trong Phan,Hai Duc Nguyen

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.610905

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is endemic in Vietnam and has been a statutory notifiable infectious disease since 1998. We, herein, assessed the performance of rabies surveillance in Southern Vietnam and identified areas for improvement.Materials and Methods: We analyzed data on human rabies cases reported during 1991–2018. We adapted guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate attributes of surveillance. Between June and November 2018, we interviewed a total of 145 staff from hospitals, preventive medicine centers, and animal health offices at provincial and district levels in five southern provinces.Results: Between 2009 and 2018, an average of nine cases of human rabies (range: 4–20 cases) was reported annually in Southern Vietnam, representing an incidence of 2.7 cases per 10 million population. The highest incidence was observed in 2018 (5.5 cases per 10 million population). Survey data suggested that only 24% (13/53) of participants agreed that the monthly report template was easy to complete and that 42% (23/55) indicated that the change from the paper-based to the electronic case notification systems was easy. Only 7% (2/29) of human rabies cases were reported timely, and 65% (13/20) successfully collected specimens. Approximately 39% (56/144) of staff were aware of turning surveillance data into prevention activities, and 21% (31/145) witnessed data used for strategic program decision making.Conclusions: Although rabies surveillance was quite simple, flexible, and accepted in southern Vietnam, simplifying the report forms, training staff, and improving the timeliness of reporting and data usage are highly recommended for a better implementation of rabies surveillance.

Highlights

Rabies is endemic in Vietnam and has been a statutory notifiable infectious disease since 1998
An estimated 59,000 people die from rabies every year, with the majority (95%) being in Africa and Asia due to the shortage of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) services for animal-bite victims and the lack of experienced personnel and facilities for rabies surveillance [1]
Rabies Surveillance in Southern Vietnam dogs and cats successfully prevents the spread of the rabies virus, and immediate administration of PEP, consisting of rabies vaccine and immune globulin, effectively reduces the risk of disease for most persons with probable rabies exposures [2]

Summary

Introduction

Rabies is endemic in Vietnam and has been a statutory notifiable infectious disease since 1998. An estimated 59,000 people die from rabies every year, with the majority (95%) being in Africa and Asia due to the shortage of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) services for animal-bite victims and the lack of experienced personnel and facilities for rabies surveillance [1] This deadly disease, is effectively prevented by human and animal vaccinations. To reduce the spread of rabies, Vietnam strengthened its rabies control and prevention system nationwide in 1996, focusing on community engagement through communication channels, vaccination of dogs, prevention of dog bites, surveillance of canine and human rabies, coordination of multiagency activities, PEP services, and vaccine availability and research Such enhancement was largely responsible for bringing about a decline in the incidence of the disease by 95% between 1994 and 2003 [3]. Notifications for human rabies cases have remained relatively high, with an average of 90 cases recorded each year between 2004 and 2018 [3]

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Conclusion