16 rabies deaths recorded in Davao Region last year

RABIES remain to be a threat in the region with a total of 16 cases of human deaths from rabies has been recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) for Davao Region last 2015.

Regional Rabies Prevention and Control Program Nurse Coordinator Divine Hilario during the Kapihan sa PIA media forum on Friday at the NCCC Food Cove said that the number is lower than the year before, but there has been no remarkable improvement.

“In year 2013, we recorded 16 cases, last 2014, 22 cases, and this 2015 a total of 16 cases,” Hilario said. She added that rabies is 100% fatal to humans.

According to Regional Medical Coordinator Dr. Vergel Bautista, in their RRPC Program 5-year study from 2010-2015 they recorded 400% increase of reported animal bite cases.

“In 2010, they recorded around 10,000 bites of animals but in 2015, we have recorded more or less 37,000 na nakagat ng aso. Kaya importante, nakikita natin na mataas ang case na nakakagat ng aso” Bautista said.

Bautista also encouraged those bitten or clawed by their pets to immediately go to their doctors for referral to treatment centers.

Hilario said based on the data for 2015, in Davao City they recorded 5 deaths, Davao del Norte, 7 deaths, Davao del Sur had 3 deaths, Compostela Valley, 1 death, and Davao Oriental with zero death.

Bautista said rabies can also be transferred from human to human given that in 15 documented case, one case included cornea transplant as the mode of transmission of the virus.

He added that a person bitten by a dog or cat must observe the animal within 14 days if it will manifest signs of rabies infection.

Dr. Aime Capuyan of Department of Agriculture said there is a decrease of number of animals with rabies based on samples given to them.

“So very good news talaga, siguro mataas ang narereport na nagsusubmit sa DOH, kasi nagiging aware na yung mga tao halimbawa nakakagat yung dog nila. Though sa animal side nagadecrease,” she said.

She added that it is necessary to examine the animal’s brain once this shows signs of being rabid after biting a person.

According to Hilario, a total of P80 million worth of human rabies vaccine were included for the budget this year.

“We have provision of prophylaxis in all accredited and non-accredited animal bite treatment center trained by the Department of Health, and we are giving free vaccines from DOH, this year we are given budget worth 80 million for human rabies vaccine,” Hilario said.

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