Friday, January 19, 2007 Pets vaccinated v. rabies drop in 2006
THE number of pets vaccinated against rabies declined due to the fees imposed by the City Government, thus the increase of rabies incidents in humans.
Statistics from the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) show that 27,230 pets have been vaccinated in 2006 -- a decrease of 7,234 or 26.56 percent from that of last year's 37,464.
Dr. Gary Zaragosa-Pallar, chief of the OCV's Animal Disease Prevention and Control Section, said since the implementation of the revenue code in March last year, the number of pets brought for vaccination has been steadily declining.
"During mass vaccination projects in barangays, owners would bring their dogs along but when informed of the fees, they will let go of the animal or throw them away," Pallar said.
In 2004, there have been 49 of 147 reported cases yielded positive of rabies, with Buhangin garnering the highest percentage of cases at 24 percent.
Talomo places second with 22 percent and Tubgok with 20 percent.
There were 152 reported cases in 2005 with 37 positive cases but Talomo had the highest percentage at 28 and Buhagin placed second with 24 percent.
Cases in Tugbok, however, have dramatically decreased as they only have 8 percent of the total cases.
Pallar said the figures for 2006 have yet to be tallied but she is quite certain that cases have increased.
Last year, city veterinarian Dr. Romeo Barbadillo sent a letter to the City Council requesting a moratorium on the vaccination fees but Pallar said until now they are still awaiting the council's approval.
It can be recalled that Councilors Pilar Braga and Nilo Abellera raised the issue in their privilege speeches last November.
Pallar said they will be sending out another follow up letter to the City Council.
She added that rabies treatment in pets costs more than P30 vaccine.
She cannot blame pet owners who opt to buy food for their families than pay for the vaccination.
As a basic health service, she said, the vaccine for pets should be made free because rabies is something that affects humans. (GLP)
