ANIMAL bite cases involving both stray and pet animals in Lapu-Lapu City have increased by 54.8 percent, with the Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) recording 2,620 cases in January 2025 compared to 1,693 in the same period in 2024.
Irresponsible pet ownership and a lack of awareness about the importance of leashing pets may have contributed to the surge, according to City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Agnes Realiza.
ABTC data shows that most cases involved pet-related incidents rather than bites from stray animals.
In January 2024, the breakdown of animal bites revealed a higher frequency of dog-related incidents, totaling 959 cases, while cat bites accounted for 734 cases.
Awareness
Realiza told SunStar in an interview on Wednesday, Feb. 19, that the increase in reported bite cases may be due to growing awareness about the importance of seeking vaccination treatment.
“As people become more informed, they understand the importance of getting vaccinated to protect themselves… People are becoming more aware of the guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis and how vaccination can prevent rabies after a bite,” Realiza said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
She urged pet owners to take responsibility for their dogs and ensure they are fully vaccinated.
The World Health Organization defines rabies as a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease that affects the central nervous system. If not treated promptly, rabies can be fatal.
Vaccine distribution
Despite the rise in animal bite cases, Realiza assured the public that there is no shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in Lapu-Lapu City.
The CHO provides free anti-rabies vaccinations for dogs, covering the first and fourth doses.
This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to eliminate rabies in the Philippines by increasing vaccination rates among domestic animals.
For patients bitten by animals and are classified under Category 3, Realiza said they will receive all four doses of the anti-rabies vaccine at no cost.
Category 3 patients refer to individuals who have sustained bites or scratches that are considered to pose a high risk of rabies infection.
These patients are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Under the Universal Health Care Act, Philhealth provides coverage for all Filipinos, which includes those receiving treatment for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis due to animal bites.
Realiza said the CHO aims to provide all four doses of the anti-rabies vaccine free of charge to all patients, regardless of category, once additional vaccine supplies become available. / DPC