ILOILO – The target coverage of dog vaccination against rabies in this province has been achieved, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed.
As of Aug. 1, 70.29 percent, or 212,476 dogs out of the 302,302 total canine population, were vaccinated.
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.
Of the 43 local government units (LGUs), 24 achieved 70 percent or above vaccination coverage, PVO data further showed.
These LGUs were Oton (14,323 or 92.77 percent), Guimbal (4,940 or 85.63 percent), Miag-ao (8,474 or 81.37 percent), Tubungan (2,865 or 97.45 percent), Pavia (5,778 or 103.81 percent), Santa Barbara (8,790 or 121.80 percent), Leganes (4,976 or 82.45 percent), San Miguel (4,278 or 76.45 percent), Leon (2,855 or 83.19 percent), Cabatuan (13,050 or 92.80 percent), Calinog (7,190 or 87.43 percent), Mina (3,160 or 76.20 percent), Badiangan (2,259 or 115.79 percent), Anilao (3,190 or 91.48 percent), Dumangas (7,582 or 74.22 percent), Dingle (10,152 or 112.80 percent), San Enrique (3,922 or 105.43 percent), Barotac Viejo (6,857 or 70.91 percent), Ajuy (5,315 or 70.87 percent), Concepcion (3,838 or 72.47 percent), San Dionisio (4,549 or 72.09 percent), Batad (2,247 or 89.66 percent), Balasan (2,863 or 80.42 percent), and Carles (6,667 or 83.33 percent).
The remaining LGUs with below 70 percent vaccination coverage were Tigbauan (3,265 or 44. 38 percent), San Joaquin (3,372 or 48.01 percent), Igbaras (3,041 or 32.96 percent), New Lucena (2,880 or 67.40 percent), Zarraga (3,312 or 54.55 percent), Alimodian (3,315 or 63.98 percent), Janiuay (7,385 or 53.79 percent), Lambunao (9,236 or 61.70 percent), Bingawan (1,423 or 24.26 percent), Pototan (2,230 or 21.96 percent), Maasin (2,759 or 60.49 percent), Banate (1,597 or 24.96 percent), Barotac Nuevo (1,980 or 65.02 percent), Duenas (2,007 or 58.98 percent), Passi City (8,273 or 52.02 percent), Sara (7,919 OR 69.42 percent), Lemery (4,189 or 68.99 percent), San Rafael (1,281 or 43.93 percent), and Estancia (2,892 or 61.76 percent).
“Ang full support sang municipal LGUs kag availability sang bastante nga bakuna amo na ang factors ngaa na-achieve naton ang target nga at least 70 percent,” said PVO head Dr. Darel Tabuada.
He also said the vaccination continues for the LGUs with below-target coverage.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allotted P8 million for 20,150 vials of vaccines distributed to 42 towns and Passi City this year.
The provincial government forged an agreement with LGUs where the former would purchase rabies vaccines while LGUs would use their funds to hire vaccinators, provide training, allowances, and other supplies, and inoculate their dog population.
The vaccination program began in February./PN
