ILOILO – The provincial government has achieved a 70 percent dog vaccination rate as of April 30, well ahead of its target to establish herd immunity against rabies.
According to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), a total of 234,037 out of 324,764 dogs, or 72.06 percent, have been vaccinated with the anti-rabies vaccine.
The PVO reported that four out of 42 towns and the component city of Passi have reached a 100 percent dog vaccination coverage. These towns are Tigbauan, Tubungan, Alimodian, and Cabatuan.
Additionally, 21 others have achieved at least 70 percent coverage. These include Oton, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Igbaras, Pavia, Santa Barbara, New Lucena, Leganes, San Miguel, Pototan, Badiangan, Anilao, Banate, Dumangas, Passi City, Ajuy, San Rafael, Concepcion, Batad, and Balasan.
However, 18 towns still fall below the 70 percent coverage. These are Zarraga, Leon, Janiuay, Lambunao, Calinog, Bingawan, Mina, Maasin, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, San Enrique, Barotac Viejo, Sara, Lemery, San Dionisio, Estancia, and Carles.
Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the PVO, attributed the swift achievement of the vaccination coverage to the early delivery of vaccines to local government units (LGUs), which began in January following the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines worth P8 million in 2023.
The provincial government annually allocates P8 million to purchase 20,150 vials of anti-rabies vaccine to vaccinate 70 percent of the total dog population.
To sustain and expedite the vaccination efforts, the PVO purchased syringes for administering the vaccine and hired barangay vaccinators across the LGUs.
The province-wide vaccination campaign started on February 1. To assist the remaining towns in achieving the target coverage, plans are underway to deploy additional personnel.
Tabuada said low-performance LGUs will get help to reach the 70 percent vaccination threshold.
The PVO’s ongoing effort to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the total dog population is part of the goal to declare Iloilo rabies-free by 2030.
According to Tabuada, the main criteria for declaring the province rabies-free include the absence of rabies cases and no canines testing positive for the disease for the last two years.
In addition to vaccination, the PVO is also focusing on spaying and neutering to control the dog population and promoting responsible pet ownership to prevent the increase of stray dogs. These measures include proper kenneling, regular vaccinations, and adequate feeding.
Rabies is a viral disease that primarily affects mammals, including humans, and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites.
The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain and ultimately death if not treated promptly.
Vaccination of dogs is a crucial measure to control the spread of rabies, particularly in areas where dogs are the primary reservoir of the virus.
Here’s the vaccination accomplishment of the towns with respect to their total dog population:
* 1st District – Oton (14,773 vaccinated out of 15,355), Tigbauan (9,870 out of 7,245), Guimbal (5,223 out of 6,580), Miag-ao (8,110 out of 10,118), San Joaquin (6,591 out of 7,023), Igbaras (5,989 out of 6,890), Tubungan (3,558 out of 3,300)
* 2nd District – Pavia (4,283 vaccinated out of 5,900), Santa Barbara (11,869 out of 15,321), New Lucena (4,138 out of 4,200), Leganes (5,321 out of 6,035), Zarraga (3,701 out of 5,645), San Miguel (4,090 out of 5,596), Alimodian (6,158 out of 5,960), Leon (3,972 out of 10,139)
* 3rd District – Cabatuan (16,116 vaccinated out of 15,316), Janiuay (5,295 out of 13,730), Lambunao (4,545 out of 11,319), Calinog (4,689 out of 7,920), Bingawan (1,399 out of 4,011), Mina (2,399 out of 4,000), Pototan (8,224 out of 9,947), Badiangan (3,188 out of 3,910), Maasin (1,791 out of 4,789)
* 4th District – Anilao (2,868 vaccinated out of 3,453), Banate (4,995 out of 5,940), Dumangas (8,263 out of 9,857), Barotac Nuevo (4,434 out of 7,527), Dingle (7,269 out of 10,954), Dueñas (1,723 out of 3,403), Passi City (12,801 out of 16,315), San Enrique (3,170 out of 5,456)
* 5th District – Barotac Viejo (4,932 out of 7,842), Ajuy (8,086 out of 8,700), Sara (1,892 out of 10,869), Lemery (3,139 out of 6,040), San Rafael (1,226 out of 1,513), Concepcion (4,767 out of 5,151), San Dionisio (3,884 out of 6,233), Batad (2,289 out of 2,351), Estancia (6,240 out of 10,100), Balasan (2,825 out of 3,572), and Carles (3,944 out of 9,239)/PN
