ILOILO City – Twelve areas in Western Visayas have been declared rabies-free, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 6.
As of March 2021, here are the areas cleared of rabies: Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan; the island barangays of Malangabang, Igbon, Botlog, Jamul-awon, Macatunao, Salvacion, Talotu-an, Tambaliza and Polopiña, and islands of Sombrero and Baligian in Concepcion, Iloilo.
According to DA-6 rabies coordinator Dr. Pacifico Lumauag III, an area could only be declared rabies-free if it has no cases of rabies – both in human and animal – for two straight years.
“Dapat may ara man local ordinance ang isa ka banwa or city on the prevention and control of rabies nga i-adoptar sang kabarangayan,” Lumauag told Panay News.
There should also be an existing comprehensive rabies vaccination program that targets to vaccinate 70 percent of an area’s dog population.
Every year, the dogs should also pass random sampling in the area declared as rabies-free.
“Sang nagligad nga tuig ang declaration sang rabies-free sa national (central office) pero starting last year, gin-sub national level na. Buot silingon ang local na ang ma-declare kon rabies-free sia provided nga gin-endorse sang province sa regional level (DA-6) para ma-check sang rabies focal person kon nakapasar sia sa requirements,” Lumauag explained.
Rabies primarily affects warm-blooded animals other than man, notably dogs, cats, rats, and bats, but which can be transmitted to humans by infected animals.
The rabies virus, which is present in the saliva of an infected animal, is passed to a human through a bite, or rarely, when the animal’s saliva gets in contact with a scratch or fresh break in the skin.
What about mainland barangays?
According to Lumauag, rabies cannot easily breach island communities as dogs could be easily controlled.
“Mas mahapos kon napalibutan sang dagat unlike kon ara sia sa mainland barangay nga ang ila boundaries mabudlay i-secure kay nagatabuk-tabok ang ido,” he added.
Meanwhile, as of March 2021, Lumauag said 20 percent of the region’s total dog population has been vaccinated.
Western Visayas had some 950,000 dogs.
The DA official encouraged local government units to secure rabies vaccines to boost their vaccination coverage.
Here are other responsibilities of local governments per Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, as cited by Lumauag.
* ensure that all dogs are properly immunized, registered and issued a corresponding dog tag right after immunization
* strictly enforce dog impounding activities and field control to eliminate stray dogs
* ensure that dogs are leashed or confined within the premises of the owner’s house or owner’s fenced surroundings
* allocate funds to augment the implementation of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, particularly on the financing of supplies and human and dog vaccines needed for immunization
* enact additional local ordinances that will support the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program that should include the regulation of treatment locally known as tandok.
* prohibit the trade of dogs for meat
Aside from the 12 areas previously declared as rabies-free, two more candidates are being eyed next – the island barangays of Punta Buri and Tagubanhan in Ajuy, Iloilo./PN
