Number of rabies cases "alarming"

CEBU, Philippines - The number of rabies cases in Cebu and Central Visayas is alarming, according to an official of the Department of Health (DOH) 7.

Jocelyn Tabotabo, regional program coordinator of the health department’s National Rabies Control Program, said 26,000 people were bitten by dogs in Central Visayas last year.

Of the number, 13 died of rabies.

“Alarming na gyud kaayo ang sitwasyon sa rabies situation kay matag tuig mosaka og mga 3,000 ang gidaghanon sa mga tawo nga mapaakan og iro ug sagad kanila dia dinhi sa Cebu,” said Tabotabo. (The situation is very alarming considering that the number increases by about 3,000 each year, most of them from Cebu.)

The DOH 7 statistics showed that 13 persons died of rabies in different places in Central Visayas last year, higher than the 12 casualties in 2009 and 2008. Tabotabo said the total number of persons bitten by dogs in that period is lesser by 3,000.

This prompted the DOH 7 office to increase its medicine assistance to dog-bite victims. From giving only two free doses, health officials now give three free doses for each victim.

A dog-bite victim needs four doses of anti-rabies vaccines. Tabotabo explained that the DOH will not shoulder the fourth dose because dog owners should take responsibility for this.

In the news forum sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) last Tuesday, Tabotabo discouraged dog-bite victims from going to quack doctors locally known as “tandoc.” Victims should be immediately injected with anti-rabies vaccine at the Animal Bites Centers, said the health official.

 Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted to humans. The virus that can be transmitted through the dog’s saliva could kill a person once it reaches the central nervous system.

The DOH has a program to give vaccines for all pet dogs in the region.

In Cebu City, the vaccination is offered free of charge until June 30. Personnel from the City Hall’s Department of Veterinary Medicines go to different barangays for this purpose.

Tabotabo said the DOH will be conducting seminars for the more than 1,300 barangay captains in Cebu province, including the component cities of Cebu.

In Cebu City for example, the barangay officials are mandated to compel the dog-owners in their respective barangays to have their pets registered and given vaccine shots in compliance. (FREEMAN)