The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) today disclosed a total of 11 rabies cases recorded in various municipalities of the region from January 1, 2023 to May 27, 2023.
According to the report, the province of Ilocos Norte has five rabies cases from the municipalities of Badoc, Batac City, Nueva Era, Paoay and Sarrat; Pangasinan with 3 from Alaminos City, San Quintin and Urbiztondo; 2 cases in La Union from Aringay and San Fernando City; and 1 in Sto. Domingo Ilocos Sur. Regional Director Paula Paz. M. Sydiongco warned residents and encouraged owners to vaccinate their pets to avoid getting rabies as cases have increased during the past weeks.
“Owners have the responsibility to have their pets immunized against rabies yearly and also to provide other booster shots to keep them healthy and safe from viruses.”
“Pusa man o aso ay kailangan nating maipabakuna upang hindi tayo magka-rabies kung tayo ay aksidenteng makagat ng ating mga alagang hayop. Most animal bites happen at home and some are bitten accidentally during playtime with their pets,” she added.
“Ang rabies ang isa sa mga pinakadelikadong sakit at mayroon itong 99 percent case fatality rate lalo na kung ang isang tao ay nakagat sa “critical areas” gaya ng mukha, braso at hita. It is deadly but 100% preventable through prompt, appropriate medical care and getting an anti-rabies vaccine. In case of an animal bite, immediately wash the affected area using soap and water and head straight to the nearest hospital for treatment.”
A total of 17,613 equine rabies immune globulin (ERIG) vials were distributed in various provincial health offices of the region including Dagupan CHO, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center and at the regional office. Also, a total of 8,592 purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) were distributed to the same health facilities, accordingly.
“Maaari po kayong magpunta sa pinakamalapit na animal bite treatment center (ABTC) sa inyong lugar kung kayo ay nakagat ng aso upang makakuha ng libreng bakuna laban sa rabies.
Iwasang magpagamot sa mga albularyo gamit ang “Tandok” (removal of venom, rabies and tetanus from a wound by direct suction using an animal horn).”
“We have a total of 55 ABTCs strategically located across the region and we are encouraging our local government units to establish more for the benefit of our constituents, especially those residing in GIDAs.”
Sydiongco emphasized that the regional office remains committed to ending rabies deaths in the region by 2027 and being Rabies Free Philippines by 2030.
“There is still no need to panic as these are all isolated cases. We still have to validate the increased reports of cases in some of the provinces to verify if there is a need to declare a health emergency or outbreak.”
DOH Department Memorandum 2023 – 0103 states that it is the sole authority of the Secretary of Health to declare an outbreak supported by scientific evidence and based on disease surveillance data, epidemiologic, environmental and laboratory investigation.
“Let us be responsible pet owners and have our dogs and cats vaccinated as it is the most cost-effective measure. We need to achieve at least 70 percent dog rabies vaccination coverage in our region in order to be safe and healthy.”
“We need the support of our LGUs and stakeholders and increase health promotion activities, especially in the communities, to provide awareness and educate residents on the importance of rabies awareness,” Sydiongco concluded.
