A TOTAL of 336 dogs and cats have been vaccinated in Davao City in celebration of the World Rabies Day on Monday, the City Veterinary Office (CVO) reported.
Davao CVO veterinarian Dr. Gay Z. Pallar said majority of the pets that were given free rabies vaccination are dogs. She added that aside from vaccination, dogs and cats were also dewormed.
The CVO, in observance of the World Rabies Day on September 28, held a free vaccination and other activities at Ma-a Central Elementary School in Davao City.
Rabies experts of the city and around the world are highlighting dog vaccination program as the most effective way to reduce the risk of the disease.
Moreover, Pallar said, 16 dogs have been castrated and another dog was given a free surgery—just a wound repair—during the event.
"We have also distributed vitamin supplements, and anti-tick and flea preventative treatments good for dogs. Almost 200 dog owners din ang na bigyan," Pallar said.
CVO Barangay Talomo-based meat inspector Bella F. Talungon said their office also conducted its rabies information education campaign (IEC) in Maa and Talomo areas.
Health authorities earlier urged the pet owners to be responsible by regularly submitting their animals for vaccination given for free at the city and municipal veterinary offices.
"To all concern pet owners, have your dogs immunized by a veterinarian against rabies at three months old and every year thereafter," Mary Divene Hilario, rabies program coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH-11), earlier said.
Aside from vaccination, the health authorities also encouraged pet owners to take care of their dogs—bathe it, give it clean food and clean sleeping quarters—to avoid them from any disease.
Dr. Gracia Berguita, medical officer of the DOH–Rabies Program, also advised the pet owners to give themselves pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccine, especially if they have a high-risk occupation.
Hilario said their office has already recorded 18,979 animal bite cases and seven human rabies cases from January to June 2015.
Last year, there were 33,897 animal bite cases reported in the region, higher as compared to 2013 with 20,684 cases. Of the total animal bites in 2014, 90.54 percent sought vaccination compared to 88.09 percent in 2013, Hilario said.
The World Rabies Day is an international campaign which is observed on September 28, which is death anniversary of Louis Pasteur who, in collaboration with his colleagues, developed the first efficacious rabies vaccine.