Dozens of  people in Phuoc Tan Commune, Bien Hoa City in the southern province of Dong Nai are concerned they were exposed to HIV after chasing down and apprehending two dog thieves, one of whom was carrying the virus.

Images of the dog robbery in Phuoc Tan Commune, Bien Hoa City, in the southern province of Đồng Nai went viral after the hospital announced that one of the thieves was carrying the HIV virus.

The two male thieves, aged 35 and 26, living in Xuan Tam Commune, Xuan Loc District, were found to have used stun batons to steal six dogs on Friday morning. Local residents chased and beat the men, who were left with cuts and bruises on their arms and legs. One of the thieves suffered a cracked skull and bleeding on the brain.

Local authorities arrived at the scene soon after being alerted, taking the injured thieves to Dong Nai General Hospital.

After performing tests, the hospital reported that one of the thieves was carrying the HIV virus, and local residents who were exposed to his blood during the altercation were at risk of contracting the virus.

The province’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department asked people involved to take HIV tests and antiretroviral drugs if necessary, preferably two to six hours after contact with the HIV carrier. 

VNS