ZAMBOANGA City Veterinarian Mario Arriola has confirmed a total of seven animal rabies cases from January to April this year based on records submitted by the Regional Animal Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture Field office in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Arriola said the animal rabies cases came from six villages in Zamboanga City -- Culianan, Labuan, Limpapa, Pamucutan, Tetuan and Tulungatung.
He said his personnel have administered a total of 1,112 doses of animal anti-rabies vaccine to dogs, cats and monkey during the first four months of the year.
Arriola said he has tasked the City Veterinarian Animal Health Division and different Veterinary Service Field Offices to implement the Quick Response Approach, which calls for the active involvement of the village officials and the cooperation of their constituents to submit all pets for free rabies vaccination to prevent animal rabies from spreading to neighboring villages.
The Quick Response Team is headed by Dr. Arnedo Agbayani, chief of the Animal Health Division, and assisted by the respective District Veterinarians.
Initially, three vaccination teams were organized to conduct animal anti-rabies vaccination in the affected villages and its adjacent areas.
Under the scheme, Arriola said each village is provided the master list for registration purposes based on the provisions of Republic Act 9482 series 2007 and City Ordinance 241, series of 2002.
Both laws require pet owners for mandatory vaccination and registration, otherwise, they can voluntarily surrender their pets for adoption or disposal to avoid penalty as provided by both Laws.
"We are appealing to responsible residents and pet owners especially from the villages of Tetuan, Tulungatung, Labuan, Culianan, Limpapa, and Pamucutan and all adjacent villages to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination and be aware of their responsibilities," Arriola said.
Schedules of Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination are posted conspicuously in the Village Halls and the different Rabies Vaccination Centers.
The City Veterinarian Office at Pettit Barracks and all Veterinary Service Field Offices located at the Ayala Sport Center, Tumaga Artificial Insemination Center, Culianan Rural Service Center, Manicahan Village Hall, Curuan Rural Service Center and Vitali Rural Service Center are open from Monday to Friday to accept calls or walk-in customers who wish to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccine for their pets, Arriola said.