Cebuanos warned of street cat rabies

CEBU CITY -- An official of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) here warned Cebuanos, particularly those who are fond of adopting street cats, against cat rabies.

“Careful especially in the areas where you get them,” said Dr. Alice Utlang, chief of the Cebu City Government's DVMF.

Utlang said that last January 2, a woman, who refused to reveal her identity and a resident of Parian, Cebu, went to their clinic to ask for anti-rabies vaccine. The woman said she was bitten by her adopted street cat. She was later found out to be positive of rabies, Utlang said.

Utlang disclosed the case is the first time in Cebu as sources of rabies only come from dogs.

According to Utlang, the cat, which was submitted to their clinic, died a day after it bit the woman.

She said the woman has been cured and is already rabies-free.

Utlang said the cat’s body is still under investigation, as it was suspected to have come from a place outside Cebu. (Nera Mariz Puyo- USJR MassCom Intern/Sunnex)