ILOILO – This province recorded 12 deaths due to rabies in 2021 – 200 percent higher than rabies-related deaths reported in 2020 (four).
The 12 rabies deaths were from the towns of Sara (four), San Dionisio (three), Estancia (two), Ajuy (one), and Calinog (one), and the component city of Passi (one), according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief.
She also revealed that nine of the 12 fatalities did not seek help from government-designated animal bite centers but instead consulted traditional healers called manugtandok.
There were 19 animal bite centers in the province. These were located in 12 district hospitals and the Rural Health Units (RHUs) of Oton, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Carles, and Zarraga.
Quiñon said Iloilo had sufficient anti-rabies vaccines.
What should a person bitten by what could be a rabid animal immediately do?
Wash the bitten area with soap and clean water, then proceed to any of the province’s animal bite centers, said Quiñon.
She also reiterated the importance of being a responsible pet owner, especially of dogs.
Follow Republic Act 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, she stressed.
Section 5 of the law requires pet owners to do the following:
* maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted on their dogs, for accurate record purposes
* submit their dogs for mandatory registration
* maintain control over their dog and not allow them to roam the streets or any public place without a leash
* provide dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter
* within 24 hours, report immediately any dog biting incident to concerned officials for appropriate action, and place such dog under observation by a veterinarian
* assist the dog bite victim immediately and shoulder the medical expenses incurred and other incidental expenses relative to the victim’s injuries
Quiñon also reminded Barangay Rabies Control Committees of their duties:
* conduct and supervise dog immunization activities and dog control measures
* maintain an updated master list/registry of all dogs, both vaccinated and the unvaccinated dogs
* regularly conduct information, education and communication campaign on rabies prevention and control
* advocate the practice of responsible pet ownership
* monitor cases of animal bites in the barangay and refer to the RHU for proper immunization
* support the municipal activities on rabies prevention and control/PN
