ILOILO – With 43 confirmed animal rabies cases in Western Visayas from January to June 2025, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats as a preventive measure amid ongoing mass vaccination drives led by local government units (LGUs).
Of the total rabies-positive cases, 42 were dogs and one was a cat, with a significant concentration — 32 cases — reported in Iloilo City and various municipalities in Iloilo Province, including Ajuy, Anilao, Badiangan, Batad, Cabatuan, Calinog, Dumangas, Igbaras, Leganes, Maasin, Miag-ao, New Lucena, Oton, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, and Zarraga.
Regional Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) chief Dr. Lerisa Balopeños emphasized that vaccination is the only effective measure to ensure animals are rabies-free and to prevent transmission to humans.
“We must all be careful and ensure that our animals are vaccinated because we can never tell if they are rabies-positive just by looking,” Balopeños said in an interview on Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo’s Usapang Agrikultura.
She explained that the DA Region 6 laboratory confirms rabies by testing the heads of animals — usually brought in by LGUs or pet owners — after the animal exhibits symptoms following a bite incident.
Under current protocol, animals that bite humans must be confined and observed for 14 days. If they die within that period, their heads are sent to the DA-6 laboratory for testing.
Once a case is confirmed positive, the DA immediately notifies the Department of Health (DOH) and concerned LGUs to take swift action, including administering a full course of anti-rabies vaccine to bite victims.
“Most of the animals that tested positive have bite victims, so we coordinate closely with LGUs to monitor and respond appropriately,” Balopeños added.
The DA-6 laboratory accepts specimens from Mondays to Fridays and provides rabies testing free of charge, following a moratorium issued by the DA Central Office on fees for priority diseases like rabies, influenza virus, and African swine fever.
Pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of LGU-led vaccination programs or consult private veterinarians to ensure their pets are protected./PN
