DOH logs 89 rabies deaths since January

MANILA, Philippines —  Eighty-nine cases of human rabies have been recorded in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday that the 89 cases, which all resulted in deaths, were logged from Jan. 1 to March 16.

“This is two percent lower compared to the reported 91 cases during the same period last year,” the DOH said.

Soccsksargen has the highest number of cases with 12 followed by Calabarzon and Bicol with 11 cases each.

The DOH said 82 of the cases or 92 percent were caused by dog bites while five cases or five percent were caused by cat bites. The remaining cases involved bites by other animals.

Only one case involved a fully vaccinated animal, 40 were unvaccinated and 48 with unknown vaccination status.

Under Republic Act No. 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry is mandated to lead in the control and eradication of animal and human rabies.

Local government units were tasked to ensure that all dogs are properly immunized. Stray dogs should also be impounded.

The DOH shall provide post-bite treatment at minimum expense to humans as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis to high-risk personnel.