Ben Madilynn
The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed support to the request of the Department of Agriculture for a complete budget for dog and cat vaccination.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., earlier, said that P 110 million is needed to vaccinate around 22 million dogs and cats in the country.
Rabies is preventable through timely vaccination of both pets and individuals who are exposed to the virus, the DOH said.
Individuals bitten by animals should seek immediate medical attention and, if necessary, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent rabies infection. Vaccinating dogs and cats is the most effective way to stop rabies.
“Rabies is 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, but it is also 100% preventable through timely vaccination of dogs and cats and prompt treatment of humans after exposure. We cannot afford to be complacent with such a dangerous disease, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
As of September 14, 2024, a total of 354 rabies cases have been recorded nationwide.
This represents a 23 percent increase compared to the 287 cases reported in the same period last year.
All confirmed rabies cases are fatal. The DOH continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing rabies transmission.
With the latest data, ten regions—the National Capital Region , Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen have shown an increase in rabies cases in the past month.
Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco is a grant recipient and fellow of 2017 media fellowship program by Probe Media Foundation Inc. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Mass Communication from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). After graduating in 2000 she immediately worked as a newspaper correspondent for Today Newspaper until 2005. Within those five years in Today Newspaper, she was assigned to cover the Eastern Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Rizal Province, and the Departments of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Tourism (DOT). In October of 2005, she became a correspondent for the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc. She covers Health, Education, MMDA, the local government units in the eastern and southern portions of the metropolis, and Rizal Province.
