DOH: Rabies Surges During El Niño

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday issued a warning to the public about the increasing danger of rabies through dog bites during this period while the country is facing El Niño phenomenon.

Based on the DOH Central Office reminder, too much exposure to the sun’s abnormal heat during El Niño would mean that most of the stray dogs are easily irritated and trigger them to bite anybody near to them.

Regional Director Jaime Bernadas of DOH-7 has likewise confirmed this matter saying that like the human being who are prone to catch skin cancer and other physical deformation due to exposure of the unusual heat, rabies can also be easily acquired by any animals especially dogs during summer time.

Bernadas said that it is already observed that during summer time, plenty of people may be accidentally bitten by stray dogs while walking casually in their neighborhood.

The DOH head in Central Visayas is reminding everybody to watch out for stray dogs in their surroundings by reporting this to the barangay officials so that a proper solution could be adopted.

He also advised dog owners to put their pets inside a cell or to keep these tied to prevent them from biting anybody.

Most of all, according to Bernadas, every pet should be submitted to health clinics in the barangay, town, city or province for anti-rabies vaccination to ensure that they are already free on this deadly germs.

At the same time Bernadas asked parents to watch their children to avoid contacts with stray dogs during this period.

However, he said that in case anybody will be accidentally bitten by a dog, the victim should be brought immediately to the nearby hospital.

Earlier Bernadas said that they are exerting their efforts to declare Region 7 as rabies-free area on the year 2016. However, he noted that due to the arrogance and adamant of some dog owners to secure their pets, the DOH people are doubting if they can to achieve this target.

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