CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government will conduct a massive vaccination of all dogs and pets in all the barangays.
City veterinarian Daisy Penetrante said that in an effort to make the city rabies-free by 2013, the City Social Development Center has trained coordinators for two days.
The vaccination will start in barangay Subangdaku as data at city health show that the barangay ranks no. 1 in terms of dog bites.
Records at city health show 374 animal bite victim cases from January to March 31 this year.
Majority of the cases involve swelling and inflammation.
Most rabies deaths in children come from Subangdaku with 27, Maguikay, 24, Paknaan, 23, Alang-alang, 21, and Cabangcalan, 20.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected animals.
Rabies is spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain.
With the dogs as prime target, the vaccination per barangay will be conducted for two days to ensure that all dogs are covered.
Under the law, the owner can be fined at least P500 for his failure to register the dog which includes free vaccination.
Penetrante said the vials are free courtesy of the Bill Gates Foundation, adding that the city has 100 vials for the mass vaccination in Subangdaku. – (FREEMAN)