Four animal bite centers to rise

CEBU, Philippines - At least four animal bite treatment centers in Central Visayas will be established by the Department of Health to immunize and treat people bitten by animals like dogs, cats and rats.

DOH-7 Regional Rabies Coordinator Jocelyn Tabotabo said there are already 25 animal bite treatment centers in the region and the additional four will be installed in Camotes Island and Bogo City in Cebu; Candijay, Bohol; and another in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, in the hope to eliminate deaths caused by infection.

Health officials also warned the public not to rely on the traditional "tandok method" as a post-exposure anti-rabies treatment. The traditional method is ineffective and poses health hazards to individuals, Tabotabo said.

Tabotabo advised victims to immediately see a doctor in hospitals or visit the city health office particularly the Animal Bite Treatment Center in order for them to be treated immediately with the right medication.

Normally a person bitten by a dog will undergo six days of injection at P1,200 per injection or about P8,000 for the full dose.

At the Animal Bite Center, the injection will be shortened to only three days, the first day of which will be free.

If they were bitten by animals they should clean their wounds with soap and water. Tabotabo explained that washing the wounds is a way of washing out the virus transmitted by the animal through its saliva.

 Rabies, considered to be a neglected disease, is fatal even though it is 100 percent preventable.

It is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country but is still regarded as a significant public health problem because it is one of the most acutely fatal infections.

 Tabotabo reported that the rate incident involving rabies infection is increasing from 26,298 in 2010 to 28,963 last year, or a 10.13 percent increase.

 In 2011, around 387,918 or 71 percent of dogs in the region were immunized compared to the 27 percent out of 541,240 in 2010.

 Tabotabo said for the rabies month celebration, they will intensify the dog immunization program in order to achieve the 80 percent maximum to decrease human death incidents.

 For the first quarter of 2012, DOH records showed that one human death caused by rabies has already been reported.

 There were 11 human deaths in 2011 and 13 in 2010.

 The DOH-7 is already conducting an ongoing training on animal bite treatment for 28 health officers from the four provinces of the region as part of the rabies awareness month celebration. (FREEMAN)