ILOILO – Five island barangays in Northern Iloilo — Dungon, Maliog-liog, and Bagongon in Concepcion town, and Tagubanhan and Punta Buri in Ajuy — have maintained their rabies-free status.
This was confirmed during a three-day monitoring and evaluation conducted by a team of experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) regional offices from November 25 to 27, 2024.
The assessment aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rabies Prevention and Control Sustainability Program in curbing rabies cases in these areas.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is commonly transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, primarily via bites or scratches.
Symptoms in humans include fever, muscle weakness, and neurological complications such as confusion, hydrophobia, and seizures, eventually leading to death if untreated.
Rabies can be prevented through timely vaccination of pets, avoiding stray or unvaccinated animals, and seeking immediate medical attention after exposure.
Monitoring Results and Incentives
According to Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), such evaluations are held every two years following the initial rabies-free declaration of these barangays. As part of the program, each barangay will receive an additional P50,000 from the DOH to sustain their rabies-free efforts.
During the evaluation, barangay officials and residents were interviewed to assess their rabies control programs. The team was led by Dr. Pacifico Lumauag III of the DA and Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te of DOH-6, alongside Program Manager Ame Liz Mardoquio and Police Inspector Gary Alasian.
The Provincial Rabies Control Committee (PRCC), represented by co-chairs and program coordinators from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office and PVO, also supported the initiative.
The collaborative effort among regional, provincial, municipal governments, and local communities underscores a shared commitment to eliminating rabies in Iloilo by 2030.
Criteria for Rabies-Free Declaration
To qualify as rabies-free, barangays must meet the following criteria:
* zero reported rabies cases in humans and canines for two consecutive years
* enforcement of municipal anti-rabies ordinances
* implementation of border control measures to prevent stray dogs from entering.
* establishment of functional dog pounds
* high vaccination rates, with at least 70% of the dog population vaccinated in the past two years
* adequate management of animal bite cases, including prompt referral to Animal Bite Centers for vaccination
Additional Measures Achieved
The barangays also met other key requirements:
* creation and enforcement of local ordinances on rabies prevention and control
* establishment of an effective rabies control committee
* active surveillance systems
* availability of human and animal anti-rabies vaccines
* integration of rabies awareness into school curricula
* conduct of health education, advocacy campaigns, and observance of Rabies Awareness Month and World Rabies Day
This continued success highlights the potential for eradicating rabies in Iloilo, with the province aiming for a rabies-free status by the end of the decade./PN
