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Friday, June 01, 2007
Anti-rabies law takes effect (10:33 a.m.)
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law the Republic Act (RA) 9482 or Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, which seeks to control and eliminate human and animal rabies.
The law was signed last May 25.
Rabies is a highly fatal disease caused by a lyssa virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It is characterized by muscle paralysis, hydrophobia and aerophobia, and other neurological manifestations.
The new law requires the creation of a National Rabies Prevention and Control Program which will be implemented by a multi-agency committee that would be
chaired by the agriculture department’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
The program involves the mass vaccination of dogs; establishment of a central database system for registered and vaccinated dogs; impounding, field control, and disposition of stray and unvaccinated dogs; the conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and control of rabies; pre-exposure treatment of high-risk personnel and post-exposure treatment of animal bite victims; free routine immunization of schoolchildren aged five to 14 in areas where there is high incidence of rabies; and encouragement of responsible pet ownership.
RA 9482 requires pet owners to regularly vaccinate their dog against rabies and maintain a vaccination registration card, submit their dog for mandatory registration, maintain control of their dog and not allow it to roam any public place without a leash, provide their dog with proper grooming, adequate food
and clean shelter, report within 24 hours any dog biting incident for investigation or appropriate action, assist the dog bite victim immediately and shoulder the medical expenses of the victims. (JMR)
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