VietNamNet Bridge - Hanoi has recorded two deaths from rabies this year, after two years without any cases of the disease.

Mr. Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Health, says that the two victims  were from the districts of Chuong My  (on May 7) and Soc Son (May 10).

So far this year, the country has recorded deaths from rabies in 10 provinces and cities, including 3 in the central province of Thanh Hoa and two in the northern provinces of Yen Bai and Tuyen Quang each.

The Ministry of Health has warned that rabies can increase in summer, as the outbreak of rabies in dogs usually heightens during this period.

Rabies is classified as a reemerging infectious disease, and ranks second in the number of fatal infectious diseases in Vietnam. The source of infection is mainly from domestic dogs (representing 96%), followed by cats.

After a long period of continual decline, rabies incidents have increased in the country since 2004. There were about 30 deaths from the disease annually in 2001 to 2003. In 2007, the number of deaths rose to 131. In 2013, the country recorded 90 deaths from rabies.

Le Ha