MORE than 2,000 dogs in Zamboanga del Norte have been given anti-rabies shots by the provincial veterinary's office since the start of this year.
The office, headed by Dr. Elmer Atienza, has stepped up the campaign against rabies following the death of five patients last year.
Wilma Bulahan, Integrated Provincial Hospital Office (IPHO) health education and promotion officer, said 2,055 dogs have been immunized since January.
Bulahan said Zamboanga del Norte Governor Roberto Uy has allocated P1 million to buy anti-rabies vaccines for the immunization drive.
Rabies is a disease that attacks the central nervous system of a human that has been bitten by a rabid animal.
Atienza said two of last year's deaths from rabies were in Manukan town, and one each in Sergio Osmeña, Gutalac and Siayan towns. (Bong Garcia)