BACOLOD City Councilor Sonya Verdeflor urged the City Health Office (CHO) and the City Veterinary Office (CVO) to strengthen the year-round activity over rabies prevention and control program in the city.
Verdeflor, who authored the resolution, said rabies is a human infection that occurs after a transdermal bite or scratch by an infected animal, like dogs and cats.
She said it can be transmitted when infectious material, usually saliva, comes into direct contact with a victim’s fresh skin lesions. Rabies may also occur, though in very rare cases, through inhalation of virus-containing spray or through organ transplants.
"Last September 28, we commemorated the first World Rabies Day, the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention,” she said.
She added that World Rabies Day focuses on rabies endemic countries to increase community awareness of the disease and its prevention.
World Rabies Day also raises the profile of national and local control programmes and acts as a springboard for year-round capacity building and awareness.
Verdeflor said rabies is considered to be a neglected disease, which is 100 percent fatal though 100 percent preventable.
"It is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country, but it is regarded as a significant public health problem because it is one of the most acutely fatal infection, and it is responsible for the death of 200 to 300 Filipinos annually," Verdeflor said.