CEBU, Philippines - Local health authorities cautioned the public to be extra careful from stray dogs this summer after they have noted the increase in the number of dog bites last year.
Cebu City veterinarian Alice Utlang said they have recorded 4,893 cases of dog bites last year higher by more than one thousand cases compared to the 3,731 cases in 2009.
Jocelyn Tabotabo, regional program coordinator of the National Rabies Control Program, said there were 26,000 people bitten by dogs in Central Visayas last year, 13 of them died of rabies.
Tabotabo said the number was also higher that the 12 casualties in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The incidents prompted the Department of Health-7 to increase its medicine assistance to dog bite victims.
DOH-7 now gives three doses of anti-rabies for free. 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.
Tabotabo and Utlang discouraged dog bite victims from going to quack doctors locally known as “tandoc.” According to them, the victims should be treated immediately with anti-rabies at the Animal Bites Centers.
Despite the increase, however, Utlang said they are not worried about it because it shows that the people who were bitten by dogs reported to the health centers, an indication that they are already aware of the dangers of dog bites.
Utlang said the city government has embarked on a proactive approach to curb the increasing number of dog bites by conducting free vaccination. In fact, Utlang said that on Friday free vaccination will be held at the City Hall.
The activity is also in line with the celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month.
As of January, there were already 2, 047 animals vaccinated by the city veterinarian’s office. — (FREEMAN)