One Health partners in Viet Nam launch campaign to combat rabies
One Health partners in Viet Nam have launched a digital communication campaign, aiming to eliminate dog- and cat-mediated rabies deaths by 2030.
On 26 June, One Health partners in Viet Nam are launching a digital communication campaign to strengthen public awareness of rabies prevention, promote responsible dog and cat ownership and vaccination, improve timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and enhance multisectoral collaboration towards Viet Nam’s goal of achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
The initiative is jointly organized by members of the Viet Nam One Health Partnership (OHP), including the World Health Organization (WHO) in Viet Nam, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Humane World for Animals (HWA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam, and the Institute of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development (IEHSD), in collaboration with the Viet Nam Administration of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health) and the Department of Animal Health and Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment).
The campaign will run from June to September 2026, culminating in activities around World Rabies Day on 28 September 2026. The campaign will consist of three communication events held from June to September 2026. The first event, on 26 June, titled "Enjoy Summer Safely, Stay Away from Rabies - Safe Interaction Rules for Children Around Dogs and Cats," will focus on promoting safe interactions between children and pets during the summer holidays. The second event, scheduled for August, "Understanding Rabies Vaccination for Dogs, Cats and Humans," will provide accurate information on rabies vaccination for both animals and people. The campaign will conclude in September with the event "Towards Rabies Elimination in Viet Nam," highlighting coordinated efforts to achieve the country's goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies.
The campaign will feature expert presentations, interactive discussions, live question-and-answer sessions, and practical communication materials designed to increase public engagement and raise awareness of rabies prevention.
Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease transmitted primarily through bites or scratches from infected dogs and cats. Once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, it is entirely preventable through vaccination of dogs and cats, proper wound management, and timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Despite ongoing prevention efforts, Viet Nam continues to record approximately 70–100 human rabies deaths each year. In 2025, 77 deaths were reported across 20 provinces and centrally governed cities, while more than one million people received PEP. During the first three months of 2026, 13 human rabies deaths were reported, mainly in the southern provinces.
Children remain among the groups most at risk because they frequently interact with dogs, particularly during the summer holidays. Meanwhile, vaccination coverage among dogs and cats remains below the 70% threshold required to establish effective herd immunity in many localities.
The Government of Viet Nam has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the global "Zero by 30" target through the National Rabies Prevention and Control Programme for 2022-2030. The 2026-2030 period has been identified as a critical acceleration phase to reduce human rabies deaths, increase vaccination coverage among dogs and cats, and advance towards nationwide rabies elimination.
Through the One Health approach, the campaign brings together stakeholders from the human health, animal health, education, communication, and community sectors to promote coordinated, practical actions that protect both people and animals from rabies.
Phuong Linh