THE Department of Health (DOH)-Davao reminded the public anew on Monday to have their pets vaccinated for rabies.
Dr. Annabelle Yuman of DOH-Davao said rabies is the most fatal among infectious diseases but it is "still 100 percent preventable" and it is everybody's concern.
"The time to act is now," Yuman said during the short program for the Rabies Awareness Month dubbed as "Vaccinate your pets against rabies" at the City Hall grounds on Monday.
"It's a short statement but it enjoins all responsible pet owners to get involved with this," she said.
She said there were already 14 cases of mortality due to rabies from 2010 to 2012 in Davao City. There are 600 fatalities in the Philippines, while more than 55,000 worldwide.
"It could have been prevented if something has been done," she said.
Yuman said as part of the 2014-2016 DOH roadmap, the office has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agriculture in the procurement of anti rabies vaccines for the animals.
She said the DOH recorded some 10,000 animal bites in 2013 alone.
The City-wide Investment Plan for Health (CIPH) 2012-2016 of Davao City states that the city provides free anti-rabies vaccines to indigent patients from the local health budget, DOH and ADF of City Councilors.
It said the dog immunization part of the program is being undertaken by the City Veterinarian Office.
"In 2010, the City Veterinarian's Office was able to vaccinate 43,172 dogs a decreased of 0.57 percent as compared to last year's 43,422 dogs vaccinated," the CIPH read.
The data revealed that among the animal bite cases, dog bite has the most number since 2006 to 2010, followed by cat bite.
It added that there were also reported cases of rat bite, monkey bite, pig bite, guinea pig bite, monitor lizard bite and hamster bite.
"In 2010, out of the 5,671 dog bite victims, 5,441 or 96 percent were given post exposure treatment. The districts of Talomo North (921), Talomo South (802) and Buhangin (667) registered the highest incidence of dog bite cases," the CIPH states.
The report said the highest case of mortality recorded was in 2007 and 2009 with seven and six, respectively. In 2010, the cases dropped to three deaths.
"These patients, however, did not seek consultation with the Animal Bite Center for post-exposure treatment. Immediate members of the patients who died of rabies were advised to seek consultation immediately after the bite and for health education," it said.
The CIPH cited "weak compliance to ordinance on responsible pet ownership" as one of the weaknesses in anti-rabies campaign. (ANC)