THE Davao City Veterinarian's Office (CVO) vaccinated a total of 40,379 cats and dogs from January to March 2017.
CVO focal person for Rabies and Control program and chief of Animal Disease Prevention and Control Section Gay Pallar told SunStar Davao on Wednesday, May 10, that the number is lesser than the 52,560 heads vaccinated last year.
"We conduct vaccination twice a week," Pallar said.
She cited their anti-rabies campaign that went full blast last year.
Pallar said that in 2017, the city has a total of actual dog population of 110, 803 based on their record.
She said that as of May, three cases of rabies were identified in Mintal, Marilog, and Bunawan.
She added that they confirmed these rabies cases through laboratory tests of deceased dogs submitted at their office.
"We found that these dogs are those which are unvaccinated," she added.
Pallar, however, said that it's a challenge for them to make the city rabies-free since some pet owners are not willing to get their pets vaccinated.
"Others will say that no one will assist and hold their dogs each time we come to their house," she added.
Pallar said that the persons bitten by dogs were immediately given medication by the City Health Office through its Animal Bite Center.
She said that incubation of rabies bacteria in dogs lasts up to 14 days while in humans 90 days, which is why it is necessary for deceased dogs to be examined first so that person bitten may still avail of medicines against rabies.
She added that those bitten by dogs with rabies can only avail of the medicines for as long as he/she does not show any symptom/s of rabies such as hydrophobia as it is a manifestation that the virus has already reached the brain and thus cannot be treated anymore.
Pallar said that they have recorded 16 rabies cases so far this year, hoping that the number of cases will no longer increase as the city aims to be rabies-free in 2020.
She added that the public can avail of vaccination any time in their office, and when they conduct visits per districts.
She also said that they have ample supply of vaccines.
Pallar also said that they suspended visits in Calinan due to armed encounters.