ILOILO – As of May 25, 171,737 dogs, or 55.84 percent of the 307,578 total dog population in the province, have been vaccinated against rabies.
The 10 towns with the highest dog vaccination rate were Santa Barbara (8,270 or 114.59 percent), Dingle (10,124 or 112.49 percent), Cabatuan (12,904 or 91.76 percent), Anilao (3,101 or 88.93 percent), Batad (2,225 or 88.79 percent), Oton (13,428 or 86.97 percent), Santa Barbara (8,270 or 114.59 percent), Pavia (4,733 or 85.03 percent), Guimbal (4,825 or 83.64 percent), and Miag-ao (8,442 or 81.06 percent).
Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.
Although fatal once clinical signs appear, rabies is entirely avoidable; vaccines, medicines and technologies have long been available to prevent death from rabies.
Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said they sent vaccinators to augment municipalities with low vaccination rates to achieve at least 70 percent of the target.
Meanwhile, Tabuada said some towns began their vaccination drives late, such as Estancia which had a low vaccination rate of 212 dogs, or 4.53 percent, out of the 4,683 total dog population.
“Bag-o pa lang nag-start ang Estancia, same with other municipalities nga may manubo nga accomplishment rate,” he said.
The province aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the total dog population to achieve herd immunity against rabies.
Here is the breakdown of the 171,737 vaccinated dogs per municipality: Oton (13,428 or 86.97 percent), Tigbauan (2,924 or 39.74 percent), Guimbal (4,825 or 83.64 percent), Miag-ao (8,442 or 81.06 percent), San Joaquin (797 or 7.18 percent), Igbaras (3,041 percent or 32.96 percent), Tubungan (2,565 or 87.24 percent), Pavia (4,733 or 85.03 percent), Santa Barbara (8,270 or 114.59 percent), New Lucena (2,445 or 72.43 percent), Leganes (4,371 or 72.43 percent), Zarraga (2,807 or 46.23 percent), San Miguel (4,162 or 74.37 percent), Alimodian (3,244 or 62.61 percent), Leon (2,810 or 81.88 percent), Cabatuan (12,904 or 91.76 percent), Janiuay (6,999 or 50.98 percent), Lambunao (9,179 or 61.32 percent), Calinog (3,356 or 40.81 percent), Bingawan (1,423 or 24.25 percent), Mina (2,542 or 61.30 percent), Pototan (2,584 or 25.45 percent), Badiangan (431 or 22.09 percent), Maasin (2,215 or 48.56 percent), Anilao (3,101 or 88.93 percent), Banate (1,390 or 21.73 percent), Dumangas (5,753 or 56.31 percent), Barotac Nuevo (1,384 or 45.45 percent), Dingle (10,124 or 112.49 percent), Dueñas (1,772 or 52.07 percent), Passi City (5,388 or 33.88 percent), San Enrique (1,613 or 43.36 percent), Barotac Viejo (3,373 or 34.88 percent), Ajuy (5,262 or 70.16 percent), Sara (5,646 or 49.49 percent), Lemery (2,935 or 48.34 percent), San Rafael (1,262 or 43.28 percent), Concepcion (3,740 or 57.61 percent), San Dionisio (772 or 12.23 percent), Batad (2,225 or 88.79 percent), Estancia (212 or 4.53 percent), Balasan (2,446 or 68.71 percent), and Carles (2,842 or 35.52 percent).
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allotted P8 million for 20,150 vials of vaccines distributed to 42 towns and Passi City. It could cover 70 percent of the total dog population in the province.
LGUs also allotted funds for the purchase of rabies vaccine.
Because of this, the PVO head is calling on owners to have their dogs vaccinated to avoid rabies.
“Pabakunahan nila ang ila mga ido kay may available man ta nga vaccines,” said Tabuada./PN
