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EDITORIAL
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Tuesday, March 6, 2018
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BY VIRTUE of Republic Act 9482 signed into law on May 25, 2007, March is Rabies Awareness Month. This observance aims to strengthen public awareness on the prevention, control and management of rabies – a serious public health problem.
According to the Department of Health, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the highest incidence of rabies. It estimates that about 100,000 Filipinos are treated for dog bites and 200 to 300 die from rabies annually. Dogs account for 98 percent of rabies infection.
More than anything else, responsible pet ownership is vital in attaining the government target of a rabies-free Philippines by 2020.
What are these responsibilities? It includes having pet dogs regularly vaccinated against rabies.
Pet owners should submit dogs for mandatory registration; maintain control over their dogs and not allow them to roam the streets or any public place without leash; and provide their dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and shelter.
In case of any dog – or cat – biting incident, the pet owner must report within 24 hours and observe the dog. Part of the responsibility is also to provide assistance to the dog bite victim immediately.
Rabies is 100 percent preventable but if neglected could be 100 percent fatal. It is vaccine preventable, but once infection begins, death is inevitable. Effective and safe medicines have been available for decades to prevent the disease in humans and animals. None of these deaths should occur since there are necessary interventions to prevent rabies: (1) promotion of responsible pet ownership, (2) early consultation when bitten by animals and (3) timely administration of vaccines.
It all boils down to being responsible pet owners and public cooperation with the government.
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