BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Health authorities are urging the public to practice responsible pet ownership and seek immediate treatment for animal bites as the country observes Rabies Awareness Month this March.
The observance carries the theme “Rabies-free na pusa’t aso, kaligtasan ng pamilyang Pilipino,” highlighting the role of vaccinated pets in protecting Filipino families from the deadly disease.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system and is transmitted to humans through the bite, scratch, or saliva of an infected animal.
According to the World Health Organization, around 300 Filipinos die from rabies each year, making it a continuing public health concern despite the disease being preventable.
Health experts said about 98 percent of human rabies cases in the Philippines are caused by dog bites, while the remaining cases are linked to cats and other animals.
Aside from dogs and cats, other animals that may carry the rabies virus include bats, monkeys, goats, cows, rabbits, and horses.
Initial symptoms of rabies in humans may include fever, headache, and unusual sensations around the wound area. As the disease progresses, patients may experience anxiety, difficulty swallowing, fear of water (hydrophobia), fear of air (aerophobia), hallucinations, insomnia, and paralysis.
Health officials warned that once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making early treatment critical.
Authorities advise people who are bitten or scratched by animals to immediately wash the wound with soap and running water and seek medical attention to receive anti-rabies vaccination.
As part of the awareness campaign, communities are encouraged to have their pets vaccinated and practice responsible pet ownership, including keeping pets from roaming freely, to help prevent the spread of rabies and protect Filipino families. **RGA-PIA CAR
