ILOILO – This province is closing in on the global rabies prevention standard of 70% dog vaccination coverage after successfully immunizing over 213,000 dogs from February to April 2025, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (PVO) reported.
This figure represents 58% of the estimated 367,907 dog population in the province, a significant stride toward eliminating rabies through mass immunization.
The campaign, which spanned three months, was participated in by 43 local government units (LGUs) and forms part of the provincial government’s intensified health and zoonotic disease prevention program.
Several municipalities exceeded the global benchmark, with Banate, Cabatuan, and Miag-ao recording a 96% vaccination rate. Other top-performing towns included Barotac Viejo (94%), Batad (93%); Leganes, Anilao, Oton (92%); Dingle (91%); New Lucena (89%); Carles (88%); Lemery (85%); Tigbauan (80%); Maasin (79%); San Miguel (77%); Tubungan (74%); Igbaras (73%); San Joaquin (72%); and Concepcion (70%).
The campaign, spearheaded by local paraveterinary teams and volunteers, employed house-to-house vaccinations and public awareness drives to combat rabies – a deadly viral disease transmitted primarily through bites or scratches from infected animals.
According to the PVO, the program not only seeks to prevent rabies but also promotes responsible pet ownership and community health. Follow-up vaccinations and educational efforts are ongoing to sustain the momentum and achieve full province-wide coverage.
Officials reiterated the importance of the initiative, stressing that dog vaccination remains the most effective way to break the transmission cycle and safeguard both human and animal lives./PN
