CASES of canine rabies in Negros Occidental decreased from January to May this year compared to the same period last year.
Records of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed that there were only six cases of canine rabies in the first five months of 2015, compared to 10 cases in the same period in 2014.
For the months of April and May, there were four rabies cases last year, and none this year.
This, despite the fact that the months of April and May are “alarming period” because this is the time when animals, especially dogs, are more irritable due to hot weather, thus they have more tendency to bite, explained Dr. Mary Ann Tolentino, focal person on Rabies Prevention and Control Program.
A record of zero cases this April and May is a significant accomplishment, she added.
Tolentino said the zero canine rabies positive cases for April and May can be credited to the massive campaign and vaccination conducted by the PVO since March, the Rabies Awareness Month.
Meanwhile, as of last week, there were already 15 canine head samples submitted for confirmation. Of this number, 11 are from Negros Occidental while Bacolod City has four.
The six samples that turned out positive of rabies were from Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, Silay, Victorias and Isabela, records revealed.
Tolentino said the PVO is constantly reminding the public to submit the bitten patient for laboratory test for immediate and proper treatment.
Meanwhile, PVO said there was only one rabies-related death this year. A PVO report said a 12-year old child from Calatrava died after bitten by a dog sometime in January.