BACOLOD City – The number of dogs with rabies virus in Negros Occidental has increased, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported.
From January to June this year, a total of 21 dogs were found infected with rabies, higher compared to 12 in the same period last year, PVO data showed.
Nine dogs with rabies were detected in Himamaylan City, three each in Silay City and Candoni, two in Murcia, and one each in Kabankalan City, Hinoba-an, Moises Padilla, and Cauayan, the data further showed.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dogs are the main source of human deaths due to the viral disease. They contribute up to 99 percent of all rabies transmissions to humans, WHO added.
Rabies elimination is feasible through vaccination of dogs and prevention of dog bites.
PVO head Dr. Renante Decena said they are maximizing their efforts in immunizing dogs in Negros Occidental.
There are around 240,000 dogs in the province, according to Decena, citing their records.
He added that they are targeting to immunize 70 percent of Negros Occidental’s total dog population.
As of June, the PVO already immunized 58 percent of the total population.
Decena said they are running out of rabies vaccines by almost 30 percent, or about 18,000 more vials.
Three persons have already died due to rabies from dog bites in Negros Occidental this year./PN
