MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said 124 rabies cases were recorded nationwide from Jan. 1 to May 17 this year, a 32-percent drop from the 183 logged during the same period last year.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said Central Luzon recorded the most number of cases with 21, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 15 and Calabarzon with 12.
“Kahit maliit po iyong bilang, masaklap kasi iyong rabies kasi kapag nakagat ka ng hayop na may rabies at nagkaroon ka na ng sintomas, mataas ho ang fatality rate (Even if the numbers are low, rabies is terrible because once you’re bitten by an animal infected with rabies and have symptoms, the fatality rate is high),” he said.
The case fatality rate of rabies is 100 percent, and infections happen all year round because it is transmitted by cats and dogs infected by the virus.
Pet owners are advised to have their pets vaccinated so they cannot transmit rabies virus.
Domingo said children must be supervised when playing with cats and dogs as they might do something that would trigger the animals to bite.
Under the Rabies Control Act, anti-rabies vaccines for cats and dogs are administered by local government units for free.
Private veterinary clinics offer them for PHP100 to PHP400.
“Iyong bakuna sa tao ay binibigay kapag nakagat o nakalmot o nadilaan ang ating mga sugat or mga tusuk-tusok sa ating balat ng mga hayop na aso or pusa (Vaccine is given to individuals who are bitten, scratched, or their wounds were licked by cats and dogs),” he said.
Human post-exposure prophylaxis reaches up to seven vaccines, which are available at public health centers, he added.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation offers an animal bite package covering PHP5,850 worth of essential post-exposure prophylaxis. This includes rabies vaccine, rabies immune globulin, local wound care, tetanus toxoid, antibiotics and necessary supplies like syringes and antiseptics. (PNA)