Rabies cases on the rise

MANILA, Philippines - Cases of rabies reportedly increased steadily for the past three years, prompting the government to intensify its campaign to eradicate the disease among humans and animals by 2020.

Emelina Lopez, officer-in-charge of the Animal Health Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), said government efforts are now concentrated on small island groups where most rabies cases are recorded.

Last year, 545 rabies cases among animals were recorded, up from 475 cases in 2012 and 473 in 2010.

Most of the cases tend to occur in densely populated areas with poor sanitation.

If intervention is not stepped up, Lopez warned the number of rabies cases in the country is expected to increase further.

In 2013, most of the recorded cases occurred in the provinces of Cebu with 55; Misamis Oriental, 43; Bulacan, 39; Pangasinan, 32; and Pampanga with 28 cases. 

More cases were also reported in Cavite, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Rizal and Laguna.

Last year, 98 percent of animal rabies cases occurred in dogs, 1.8 percent in cats, and 0.2 percent in goats. There have been no reported rabies cases in wild animals.

As of 2013, there are already 15 rabies-free zones in the country. These include the island province of Siquijor; Batanes; Apo Island, Dauin in Negros Oriental; Malapascua Island in Cebu; Camotes Island in Cebu; Guimaras; Olympia Island and Bais city in Negros Oriental; Culion, Palawan; Coron, Palawan; Busuanga, Palawan; Boracay Island and Malay municipality in Aklan.

Lopez is encouraging local government units to take advantage of the assistance provided by the government to control the occurrence of rabies. These include mass vaccination, dog control measures, as well as dog spaying and castration.

The National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee kicks off today the Rabies Awareness Month in Payatas, Quezon City to increase public awareness on the importance of collaborative efforts to eliminate rabies in the country. 

Lopez said that for this year, BAI has allotted a minimum of P40 million to support rabies control operations in local government units.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), meanwhile, is turning over 300,000 doses of rabies vaccines for special programs in rabies prone areas.