ILOILO – Between January and Nov. 11 this year, there have been five reported rabies-related fatalities, including three confirmed cases and two suspected ones.
The confirmed cases were a 41-year-old male from Carles, a 28-year-old male from Igbaras, and a 37-year-old male from New Lucena.
The suspected cases were a child and an adult male from Carles and Mina, respectively. The Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is investigating these deaths to confirm their cause.
Rabies is a viral disease caused by the rabies virus, which belongs to the Lyssavirus genus. The virus is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The most common transmitters in the Philippines are dogs.
In 2022, Iloilo recorded five confirmed rabies deaths in Balasan (two cases), Cabatuan, Estancia, and Lambunao, according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO.
Given the rising number of rabies cases, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Quiñon and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) led by Dr. Darel Tabuada are urging pet owners to vaccinate their dogs.
Quiñon said, “We have allocated an P8-million budget not only for human vaccinations but also for vaccinating 70 percent of the registered dogs in our municipalities.”
Local government units are responsible for hiring vaccinators.
After a person is bitten by a rabid animal, the virus enters the body and travels through the nervous system to the brain. This progression can take several weeks or months, depending on the distance of the bite from the brain.
Early symptoms of rabies are often non-specific and may include fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort.
As the virus reaches the central nervous system, more severe symptoms appear, including anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and difficulty swallowing. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
PVO data as of Oct. 16 showed that 220,359 dogs, or 72.89 percent of the total dog population in the province (302,302), have been vaccinated. This achievement marks the first time since 2015 that the province reached the 70 percent vaccination target, a milestone previously supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The IPHO also emphasizes the importance of immediate treatment at Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) located in Rural Health Units (RHUs) or district hospitals.
The province has 25 ABTCs, with 12 in district hospitals and 13 in various municipalities including Santa Barbara, Oton, Carles, Pavia, Zarraga, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Lemery, San Joaquin, Alimodian, and Maasin.
Quiñon urged those bitten by dogs or cats to promptly seek medical attention at ABTCs or hospitals, emphasizing not to delay treatment.
“Immediate action is crucial following animal bites to prevent rabies,” she said./PN
