ILOILO – A dog infected with rabies attacked and bit four residents in Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo.
All the victims in these different biting incidents on Thursday were now all in good condition after receiving medical treatment, town mayor Raul Banias said.
Officials of the local government unit caught the rabid dog and killed it. They brought its head to the Regional Animal DiseaseDiagnostic Laboratory sang Department of Agriculture (DA) in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City where it was found out to have rabies.
“Only one dog was involved and was captured by our employee and then the head was brought to DA for the laboratory examination. The result yesterday I was told by Veterinarian IV Dr. Darel Tabuada of PVO nga positive sa rabies ang ulo sang ido,” said Banias
Banias advised the four victims to avail themselves of the anti-rabies immunization of the Sara District Hospital in Sara, Iloilo. The Provincial Health Office and Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. will cover the expenses for the immunization, he said.
To allay public fears of contracting rabies too, Banias issued an executive order on Dec. 13, enjoining village officials of Barangay Poblacion and Philippine National Police to seize and impound all stray dogs roaming the town.
Banias also reminded the public to immediately consult a doctor within 24 hours after being bitten by an animal. He urged residents to assure that their dogs are vaccinated with anti-rabies.
“I enjoined everybody to be responsible pet owners if we have pet dogs it should be fully vaccinated on rabies and the province and municipal have a regular program for that,” he said./PN
