ILOILO – The provincial government has intensified its campaign against rabies. It recorded five human rabies deaths from Jan. 1 to Sept. 10, 2022 as well as 79 canine-positive rabies cases.
The five rabies deaths were from:
* Balasan – two
* Cabatuan – one
* Estancia – one
* Lambunao – one
According to Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, the number of rabies deaths is “alarming”; supposedly there should be none because animal bite centers are now more available and accessible in all district hospitals and health offices.
The five deaths, however, is lower than last year’s eight from Estancia (two), Sara (two), Ajuy (one), Calinog (one), Passi City (one), and San Dionisio (one).
“Tani maga-selebrar kita sang World Rabies Day sa September 28 nga may theme ‘One health, zero deaths’ pero si province of Iloilo may ara na sang lima ka deaths,” lamented Quiñon.
For the IPHO head, rabies death could easily be prevented if patients go to animal bite centers and get vaccinated, especially that rabies treatment is free.
“Wala gid rason nga mapatay kay may ara man vaccines nga available. Gani, kon ikaw ang nakagat sang ido gilayon nga ipalapit sa aton centro or hospital para mahatagan sang management,” added Quiñon.
Meanwhile, provincial veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada said on Friday that 73.23 percent or 52 of the canine rabies cases as of Sept. 15 were due to stray dogs.
The towns with high rabies cases included Igbaras with 12; Oton and Santa Barbara with six each; Cabatuan, five; Calinog, Dueñas, and Alimodian with four each; and Miag-ao, Leon, San Miguel, Ajuy, and San Enrique with three cases each.
In case one is bitten, the injured area should be thoroughly washed with soap and clean water then apply betadine to stop the bleeding, said Quiñon.
People should also go to animal bite centers for proper treatment instead of seeking the help of quack doctors like manog-tandok whose unscientific and unproven treatment method involves the use of either animal horn, garlic or black porous stone to supposedly extract the rabies virus from the patient.
Also, when bitten most especially by a dog, observe the dog for 10 days, she suggested.
If the dog weakens, it most likely is rabid and the person bitten should waste no time getting a rabies vaccine.
But an infected dog can transmit the rabies virus even before it becomes ill. It will invariably manifest signs and symptoms of rabies including change in behavior such as unprovoked aggressiveness and excitability, paralysis, and hydrophobia within five days, and die within two weeks, after it gets infected.
Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease.
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.
Symptoms include anxiety, confusion, insomnia, agitation, hallucinations, and paralysis accompanied usually by hydrophobia.
Death occurs in two to 10 days after the first symptoms with a slim chance of survival even with intensive care.
According to specialists, flu-like signs appear two to 12 weeks after a rabid dog bite; the virus incubates from four days but six years have been recorded.
On the other hand, in line with the observance of World Rabies Day on Sept. 28, the IPHO is intensifying its information drive efforts across 1,721 barangays in the province, particularly the campaign on practicing responsible pet ownership through vaccinating pets, having them caged or tied, and giving them proper meals.
Quiñon also requested the active participation of Barangay Rabies Control Committees (BRCCs).
The duties of the BRCC include:
* conduct and supervise dog immunization activities and dog control measures
* maintain an updated master list/registry of all dogs, both vaccinated and the unvaccinated dogs
* regularly conduct information, education and communication campaign on rabies prevention and control
* advocate the practice of responsible pet ownership
* strict enforcement of barangay ordinance relevant to rabies prevention and control
* monitor cases of animal bites in the barangay and refer to the RHU for proper immunization
* support the municipal activities on rabies prevention and control./PN
