DOH-7 Goes Massive Campaign Against Rabies

(PIA-7) –The Department of Health (DOH-7) is on a massive campaign against rabies to achieve a rabies-free Philippines by 2010.

In an AGIO7 Forum initiated recently by the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7), DOH assistant regional Rabies Program Coordinator Jeffrey Doyongan said, March of every year is celebrated as the “Rabies Awareness Month” and the celebration aims to increase public awareness on the risks of rabies and the importance of having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease.

Doyongan encourages the public to have their pet dogs registered and have the proper vaccination at the veterinary centers annually to protect them against rabies.

Based on the DOH-7 records, the number of animal bite victims is increasing every year since 2010 and the number of human deaths is decreasing.

It showed that in 2010 there were 26,298 cases of animal bite victims; 28,964 in 2011; 34,678 cases in 2012; 50,755 cases in 2013; and 59,816 cases in 2014.

Deaths due to rabies since 2008, 14 were recorded; 12 for 2009; 13 in 2010; 10 in 2011; 7 in 2012, 4 in 2013; and 3 in 2014.

Doyongan said that 85 percent of rabies came from dogs while 10 percent from cats and 5 percent from other animals.

Rabies is 100% case fatality rate both in animals and humans. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Infection occurs primarily via bite wounds, or infected saliva entering an open cut or wound or mucous membrane, such as those in the mouth, nasal cavity or eyes.

DOH urges everyone to be more alert and serious in fighting this disease and be a responsible pet owner. For those bitten by dogs they are advised to go immediately to the animal bite centers (ABC) to be treated right away.

According to DOH, there are 40 centers in Central Visayas of which 22 of these are found in Cebu provided with enough dosages of free anti-rabies vaccines.

DOH-7 programs include the conduct of yearly trainings to nurses and health workers on rabies vaccination and treatment and to strengthen the partnership with the local government units (LGUs) to ensure that dogs in their respective localities are registered and also, they should assist in the purchase of rabies vaccines and to make sure that animal welfare is promoted.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Bakunadong Pusa’t Aso sa Rabies Protektado.” (mbcn/hfc/PIA-7)