DOH implements rabies management order

REGIONAL head Dr. Shelly Aral, of the Department of Health’s (DOH) anti-rabies campaign said "it's goodbye rabies by 2020" in a meeting with officers of the Benguet General Hospital.

Aral, who has been making the rounds of hospitals in the region asking for help in beefing up the agency’s campaign, expressed concern over the increased number of cases of rabies in the region.

As such, the DOH, together with other line agencies, is implementing Administrative Order 2009-0027, an amendment to AO 2007-0029 on the revised guidelines on management of animal bite patients.

Said AO introduces guidelines and procedures to ensure effective and efficient management of rabies exposures toward its eventual reduction if not elimination. It is in line with Republic Act 9482 or Anti-rabies Act of 2007, which provides control and elimination of human and animal rabies.

Dr. Rodolfo Dy, who leads the campaign with Aral, explains the AO calls for the intradermal (ID) administration of anti-rabies vaccines.

Medical practitioners commonly do intramuscular (IM) administration.

However, Dy pointed out ID is more cost-efficient than IM.

He stressed more people will be able to afford the anti-rabies vaccines if the ID administration is adopted by hospitals. The Philippines was among the first countries to adopt the treatment as recommended by World Health Organization.

Rabies is considered a significant public health problem although it is not among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

Records show there were 5,592 animal bite cases on 2009. Seven of those cases were rabies-infected.

Of the seven cases, four were recorded in Mt. Province and one each in Abra, Apayao, and Ifugao.

DOH also launched its responsible pet owners’ campaign. It is to educate pet owners on the proper care of their pets.

The DOH is also enjoining local government units to put in place an ordinance requiring owners to have their pets registered and vaccinated regularly. (Lily Grace Verzosa)

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