Region 1 Ranks 5th Nationwide in Number of Rabies Cases

Region 1 ranked fifth nationwide with the most number of human rabies in 2018.

This was informed by resource persons from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 1 in today’s episode of Kapihan sa Ilocos of the Philippine Information Agency.

Dr. Jimuel Cardenas, chief of local health support division of DOH-1, said rabies cases in the region are considered alarming especially that from January 1, 2019 to March 27, 2019, six deaths due to human rabies have already been recorded. Pangasinan has five cases and La Union has one.

“Number of deaths this quarter is close to half of the total cases reported for the whole year in 2018 at 20 deaths,” said Cardenas.

Of the death cases last year, 13 were from Pangasinan, four from La Union, and Ilocos Sur, three. Ilocos Norte had zero fatality.

“Ages of cases in 2018 ranged from nine to 87 years old,” said Cardenas.

It is for this reason that the DOH calls on the public to support government efforts to curb incidence of rabies in the region.

Cardenas said the full implementation of Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 is the key to address the issue on rabies.

“The law already spells out the responsibilities of pet owners, government agencies concerned, local government units, and assistance from non-government organizations and academe,” he said.

He added, “All sectors must come together in order to prevent and control rabies not just in the region but in the entire country.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Julien Joan Lud-ayen, chief of the infectious disease unit of DOH-1, said Region 1 must also be on guard with the number of animal bites.

She said in 2018, there were 75,329 cases of animal bites in the region with Pangasinan emerging as second nationwide with 50,385 cases.

“Most of the animal bites were above 15 years old at 59 percent,” Lud-ayen said.

She encourages animal bite victims to immediately wash the affected area with soap and flowing water and go to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Centers to get four doses of vaccination.

Rabies Awareness Month is observed every March by virtue of Executive Order No. 84 signed on March 13, 1999 by former President Joseph Estrada.

Theme for this year’s observance is “Makiisa sa barangayan kontra rabies, maging responsableng pet owner.” (JNPD/PIA-1)