Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Rabies kills 1 in Mabalacat By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT -- A 27-year-old man who died after being bitten by a rabid dog is said to have passed the deadly virus to 90 other residents in the neighborhood of Sitio Agusu in Barangay San Francisco here.
Eduardo Sese of Velasquez Street, Agusu, Barangay San Francisco, succumbed to rabies over the weekend, authorities said.
The victim, however, had a drink with residents, unmindful of the gravity of his illness, said Deng Pangilinan, president of the Pampanga Press Club, who also resides in same barangay.
Pangilinan said the victim had a drinking spree with his companions who possibly also contracted rabies through the exchange of saliva.
Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales said the other 90 persons who contracted rabies were immediately brought to Dr. Alein Flores, who administered anti-rabies treatment to all of the victims.
Each person receiving the anti-rabies treatment in successive sessions needs at least P10,000 or less.
Morales said funds were pooled for the payment of the anti-rabies treatment which could amount to over P500,000.
Aside from the mayor, those who contributed assistance to the patients are Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, Mexico Vice Mayor Cris Garbo and Board Member Lilia Pineda.
Morales said they prioritize health care in the Mabalacat Municipal Government and seek to improve medical services to Mabalacat residents.
The families of those afflicted with the deadly rabies expressed their gratitude to Morales, Lapid, Garbo and Pineda.
Morales also directed health authorities and concerned agencies to do away with stray dogs this summer season.
"It is a deadly disease and if not contained immediately many of our people would fall victims," he said.
