Pangasinan posts 5 deaths from rabies

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Provincial health authorities yesterday expressed alarm over the number of persons who died of rabies from January up to this month.

Five persons were said to have died from the infection during this period, said Eric Perez of the provincial veterinarian’s  office.

Perez said the figure was alarming. He said the victims were bitten in December and the symptoms manifested only in February.

Perez said the showing of symptoms depends on which part of the body was bitten. He said if the bite was near the nervous system, the virus would travel faster.

The official said rabies cases, especially from dog bites, are increasing in Pangasinan.

He said 14 dogs subjected to laboratory exams at the Regional Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in Sta. Barbara town tested positive for rabies.

He said only 40 percent of the total target for anti-rabies vaccination was achieved last year due to a lack of vaccines.

The provincial veterinary office last year provided vaccines for about 300,000 dogs, Perez said. 

The provincial government is planning to vaccinate at least 80 percent of this figure, with the help of the Bureau of Animal Industry.