DOH logs 160 rabies deaths since January
MANILA, Philippines — At least 160 people have died of rabies since January, a case fatality rate of 94.67 percent, according to the Department of Health.
The DOH said it recorded 169 human rabies cases, nine of which are still being verified.
The reported cases as of May 11 were 13 percent higher compared to the 150 reported during the same period last year.
A total of 156, or 92 percent of the cases, were bitten by dogs, 10 by cats and three by other animals.
Soccsksargen posted the highest number of cases at 21 followed by Calabarzon and Bicol with 18 cases each.
The DOH said rabies is preventable, adding that vaccination is the most effective protection for animals and humans.
“Given the high percentage of cases involving dogs and cats, it is imperative that pet owners ensure their animals are vaccinated against rabies at three months old and every year thereafter,” the DOH said. ”This not only protects the animals but also significantly reduces the risk of transmission to humans.”
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