BACOLOD City – Rabies cases in Negros Occidental increased over the last two years, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported.
Records from the PHO showed that the province had a total of 18,910 animal bite cases in 2017.
PHO rabies program coordinator Rafael Marmolejo III said the figure is 22.5-percent higher than in 2016’s 14,823 cases.
Nine deaths due to rabies were recorded in 2017, the PHO reported.
PHO records also showed that most deaths were traced to upland areas where bitten patients rarely seek treatment at the animal bite treatment centers.
Negros Occidental ranked first in Western Visayas when it comes to human rabies deaths in 2016 and 2017, Marmolejo stressed.
“Based on a score card, which is supposed to be per one-million population, there should be only 1.5 death. Four deaths mean that it has reached its maximum (score card),” he added.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals. The disease is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted from one species to another.
The PHO is doubling its efforts to fight rabies by conducting information, education and communication campaigns especially in far-flung areas.
The PHO also reminds Negrenses to be responsible pet owners and have their pets vaccinated. (With a report from PIA/PN)
