ILOILO – This Rabies Awareness Month, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is intensifying its campaign on the prevention and control of animal bite cases, particularly to reduce human rabies deaths caused by dog and cat bites.
Animal bite cases have been consistently increasing, with rabies-related deaths also on the rise annually, according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares- Quiñon, head of the IPHO.
“The risk of death from rabies also grows as people are frequently being attacked by animals,” said Quiñon.
IPHO data showed the province recording 40,183 animal bite cases with 12 deaths in 2021; 46,308 cases with four deaths in 2022; 72,805 cases with five deaths in 2023; and 70,405 cases with five deaths in 2024.
The five deaths reported in 2024 came from the municipalities of Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Alimodian, Estancia, and Mina.
“We must remember those who have lost their lives to rabies and hope that we can put an end to rabies-related deaths,” Quiñon said.
Initiatives by Iloilo Provincial Government
In response to the increasing trend of animal bite cases, the provincial government has established Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) in all 13 district hospitals to provide immediate treatment for individuals bitten by animals.
Additionally, 19 Rural Health Units (RHUs) across the province have set up ABTCs, including those in Oton, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Alimodian, Pavia, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Maasin, Dueñas, Ajuy, Concepcion, Lemery, San Dionisio, Leganes, Carles, Sara, Banate, Mina, and Batad.
“These centers are now available within the municipalities, so residents no longer need to travel far for treatment. This quarter of 2025, the ABTC in Passi City will also open. Our goal is to prevent human rabies deaths by making treatment facilities more accessible,” said Quiñon.
The provincial government is also planning to open ABTCs in the municipalities of Igbaras, Tubungan, Guimbal, Leon, Tigbauan, Badiangan, and Balasan.
Campaign Efforts
As part of Rabies Awareness Month, Quiñon is urging all pet owners to take responsibility for vaccinating their dogs and cats. On February 4, the provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), launched a province-wide dog vaccination campaign, targeting at least 70 percent of the dog population in Iloilo.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allocated P9 million for the purchase of around 21,000 vials of vaccines, capable of vaccinating 210,000 dogs across the province. PVO aims to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the dog population this year, or even exceed it, following a successful vaccination rate of 87.37 percent (283,755 out of 324,764 dogs) in 2024.
In addition to vaccination, Quiñon is encouraging pet owners to keep their animals secure within their homes to prevent them from coming into contact with rabid animals and biting humans.
In case of a dog bite, the affected individual should wash the wound with running water and soap, apply alcohol or betadine, and immediately go to the nearest ABTC for further treatment./PN
