6 days ago
DOH: Rabies is a problem of pet-owners
The Department of Health (DOH) said that rabies was a problem of stray dogs, pet owners and urged that all pets to be vaccinated.
In an interview on Wednesday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the increase in deaths for rabies was caused by the huge amount of stray dogs in the country.
'The increase in deaths for rabies is because there are many stray dogs… We have 13 million stray dogs. Dapat kino-communicate yan na huwag lumapit sa stray dogs and cats, (It should be communicated not to approach stray dogs or cats.)' he said.
Herbosa said the Anti-Rabies Act placed vaccination of stray dogs and cats under the responsibility of the local government unit (LGU) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), while the welfare of pets fall under their owners.
'Every March, we campaign that pet owners vaccinate their dogs every year,' he said.
He also clarified that there was no decrease in anti-rabies vaccinations for humans and that LGUs were not purchasing vaccines.
'Wala tayong decline, hindi bumibili yung LGU. (We have no decline, it's just that LGU's aren't buying any.) The LGUs have to buy so they end up going to the DOH, to San Lazaro. I have 4,000 patients waiting here, and when you ask them where they came from, from far away LGUs, he stressed.
"May bakuna para sa tao, (There are vaccines for humans.)' he added.
There had been a rise in rabies cases being catered to by the San Lazaro Hospital over the past two weeks, reaching at least 2,000 patients every day for the past week.
A total of 426 rabies-related deaths were logged by the DOH in 2024, which was a 100% fatality on cases that manifested symptoms.
'Ang rabies ay delikado at nakamamatay, 100% ang fatality sa mga kaso noong 2024. Pwede itong makuha sa kagat, kalmot, o sa laway ng hayop na may rabies kung sakaling madilaan ang tao sa sugat, mata, ilong, o bibig,' said Herbosa.
(Rabies is a deadly disease, with 100% fatality in 2024 cases. It can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva from an infected animal if it comes into contact with wounds, the eyes, nose, or mouth.)
"Rabies is preventable through proper vaccination and responsible pet ownership. We urge the public to take necessary precautions and prioritize their safety," he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
