DOH Warns Public Against Rabies

The health department on Wednesday reminded the public to be more vigilant, and take note the danger of rabies during the approaching summer season.

Assistant Regional Rabies Program Coordinator Jeffrey Doyongan of the Department of Health (DOH)7 issued the reminder during the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) Forum at the health’s regional office.

Doyongan noted that Rabies Awareness Month is celebrated every March of the year to remind everybody over the dangers of rabies.

He also said that 85 percent of rabies came from dogs, 10 percent from cats and 5 percent from other animals.

Doyongan stated it is just tantamount that pet dogs in every household should be vaccinated with anti-rabies, to save every member of the family especially children.

“Rabies is 100 percent fatal regardless of age, profession, religion, and culture,” said Doyongan.

Doyongan said that few days from now, summer season will be felt and at the same time everyone is facing danger especially the little children who are usually at home enjoying the summer vacation.

This is the reason why majority of dog bites happened during the summer season as both pet and stray dogs are confronted by the summer heat which would result to their irritation and abnormal behavior.

The DOH is spreading their advocacy campaign against rabies to achieve the “ year 2020 rabies free Philippines target,” Doyongan said.

Aside from celebrating rabies awareness month, every March, the same campaign activities are also conducted during the World Rabies Day celebration every September of the year.

However, Doyongan noticed the stiff reduction of rabies fatalities, as they only recorded at least three cases last year.

DOH records showed that since 2008, 14 rabies deaths were recorded; 12 for 2009; 13 for 2010;11 for 2011;7 for 2012, 4 for 2013; and 3 for 2014.

Doyongan said that the massive campaign against rabies is effective if everybody will cooperate by sending their pet dogs for free anti rabies vaccination to the veterinary centers periodically.

He also said that for those bitten by dogs they are advised to go immediately to the animal bite centers (ABC) anywhere in the country.

Here in Central Visayas there are 40 ABC, where 22 of these are found in Cebu, Doyongan said.

Most of these centers are provided by the DOH enough dosages of free anti-rabies vaccines.

“But aside from the DOH, we are also urging the local government units to support this campaign by also allocating their local funds for the anti-rabies medicines for their own constituents,” Doyongan added.

But while every LGU is cooperative to this campaign, the Balamban LGU was especially pinpointed as the most helpful, Doyongan said.