City Vet office reports increased rabies cases

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Veterinary Office will be strictly implementing fines against owners of unvaccinated pets as the increased number of rabies cases in the city is already "alarming.”

Cebu City Veterinarian, Dr. Alice Utlang, disclosed in an interview with reporters yesterday, June 5, 2024, that 14 cases of rabies were recorded in the city from January until June 5, 2024, which were diagnosed based on the laboratory test done by the Department of Agriculture.

These cases were from Barangays Mabolo, Basak San Nicolas, Lahug, Tisa, Bulacao, Carreta, Tinago, Barrio Luz, Ermita and Zapatera.

“Makaingon gud kog alarming na…mao na nga atong gihangyo ang mga tag-iya sa iro nga dapat gyud ilang mga iro pabakunahan na,” said Utlang.

According to Utlang, this number is significantly higher than last year’s 17 cases, but already from January to December.

“Nya karon June pa, nya we have already 15 cases,” said Utlang.

On the other hand, Utlang said the increase in the number of cases is due to their impounding efforts.

She explained that the impounding and the vaccination is simultaneously done. With this, when stray dogs who are already vaccinated will be impounded, it means lesser “first line of defense” against rabid dogs on the streets.

To address this, Utlang said that lesser number of impounding shall be implemented. She added that they will also have to intensify their vaccination efforts.

According to her, in an area where a rabies case is present, 80 percent of the dog population must be vaccinated based on the guidelines under the World Health Organization (WHO).

Further, she also recommends the implementation of citation tickets.

“Kay daghan kaayo’g mga tag-iyag iro nga irresponsible ba, nya magpalibang og iro, nya naay ilang iro pa suroy-suroyon, may lang og bakunado,” said Utlang.

The penalty of unvaccinated dogs is at P2,000 which according to Utlang will have to be fully implemented.

“Kay sayang kaayo kapila nata ka tuig sigeg pangugat pero mao lang gihapon so mao ng nga atong i-implement,” said Utlang.

Utlang, however, clarified that there are a lot of pet owners who understand the importance of vaccination, but there are still a number of irresponsible pet owners.

Utlang said they will be applying the one-health program wherein the City Veterinary and the City Health Department will have to come up with a united approach to raise awareness on how to treat rabies cases.

Utlang said that she regularly visits the Cebu City Health Office to discuss the proper handling of rabies cases.

“Imbis ang bakuna gamiton sa pinaka importante, or priority nga napaakan sa ulo… magamit na hinuon sa lain, kay uban mureklamo nganong mubayad sila kay papaliton man sila sa vaccine kay di naman masigo,” said Utlang.

In line with this, Utlang is calling upon the public to take vaccination of their pets seriously as the government has been providing a platform to do so citing house-to-house vaccination as an example. —/ATO (FREEMAN)