ILOILO – Pushing toward its goal of becoming rabies-free by 2030, Iloilo Province is gaining ground in its campaign to eliminate the diseases, with confirmed canine cases dropping by more than 60 percent from 93 in 2021 to only 34 this year.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) attributed the decline partly to sustained mass vaccination, which has already covered 243,235 dogs, or 72.16 percent of the province’s estimated 337,075 dog population, from February 1 to September 22.
The figure has already surpassed the annual target of vaccinating at least 70 percent of the dog population, a level considered crucial in building community immunity and disrupting rabies transmission.
OPVet chief Dr. Darel Tabuada said the province began consistently reaching at least 70 percent vaccination coverage in 2021 after Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allocated P9 million for 18,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine, enough for at least 180,000 dogs.
Several of Iloilo’s 43 local government units also allocate funds for vaccines or hire barangay vaccinators who go from community to community to immunize dogs.
“The only way para ma-eliminate naton is through the vaccination. Kon taas ang vaccination coverage, taas ang immunity and ang transmission manubo. Kon ma-continue naton ina, ma-amat-amat naton dula ang reservoir sang rabies. We are targeting nga by 2030 maubos ang rabies diri sa probinsya,” Tabuada told Panay News.
As of September 22, laboratory testing by the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas found 34 canine rabies-positive cases from 96 head samples submitted this year.
Tabuada said this represents a significant improvement from the situation five years ago.
“Sa subong indi pa naton ma-achieve kay taas pa ang aton nga K9 rabies case or animal rabies case pero nakita naton nga daku ang pag-drop. Nag-start kita sang 2021 nga almost 93 ang rabies cases or animals, subong 34, medyo daku ang decrease sa K9 rabies cases,” he said.
For an area such as a province to be declared rabies-free, one of the main criteria is the absence of indigenous rabies cases in both humans and animals for two consecutive years.
Tabuada said eliminating canine rabies is critical because it would also prevent rabies infections among humans.
NEAR-UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
Five Iloilo municipalities have already achieved vaccination coverage of more than 97 percent.
Barotac Viejo posted the highest coverage at 99.09 percent, or 5,785 dogs, followed by Leganes with 99.04 percent, or 5,991 dogs; Banate, 98.25 percent, or 6,789; Dingle, 97.66 percent, or 8,651; and Maasin, 97.35 percent, or 4,895.
Although OPVet conducts its province-wide mass vaccination campaign mainly from February to May, free vaccination remains available for puppies and dogs once they reach three months old. Some LGUs that started their campaigns later are also continuing vaccination activities.
Tabuada said there is no shortage of vaccines. The provincial government purchases at least 18,000 vials worth P9 million annually, supplemented by vaccine procurement of LGUs.
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry has also informed the province that it will provide another 8,000 vials this year.
Meanwhile, OPVet is processing the procurement of another P9 million worth of vaccines, equivalent to 18,000 vials, for the province’s 2027 mass vaccination campaign.
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP
Ahead of World Rabies Day on September 28, OPVet, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Passi City Government and other stakeholders held activities in Passi City on September 22.
These included a dog walk around the plaza, an advocacy campaign promoting responsible pet ownership, and spay-and-neuter activities.
This year’s World Rabies Day theme is “Stronger Together.”
Tabuada stressed that government programs alone cannot eliminate rabies and that pet owners have a major responsibility to have their animals vaccinated and properly cared for.
“Ang rabies is a highly preventable nga balatian kon ginabakunahan lang naton pero 100 percent fatal kon indi kita mag-seek sang medical attention kag indi pagpabakunhan ang aton mga ido. Maging responsible pet owner,” Tabuada said./PN
