ZAMBOANGA City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said they have recorded zero cases of rabies for the first six months of 2015.
Arriola, who chairs the Zamboanga City Rabies Eradication Control Coordinating Council (ZCRECCC), said this came about due to the continued and intensified vaccination and surveillance activities in the city.
Arriola said his office will continue to undertake vaccination and surveillance activities so as to control and prevent rabies cases.
He urged animal bite victims to report to their respective barangay councils, which are mandated to report the same to the ZCRECCC through the City Health Office and the Office of the City Veterinarian.
He also appealed to all barangay chairmen to organize their respective Barangay Rabies Council and activate their Astray Animal Management Team to help in the conduct of anti-rabies advocacies at barangay level.
He said his office will train the animal catchers and the City Government, through the City Health Office, will provide pre-exposure vaccine for the catchers. (Bong Garcia)