The number of recorded rabies of the Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR had decreased with 8 this year from January to March compared to last year in the Cordillera including Ifugao and Baguio that recorded one case, Abra having 6 cases, Benguet and Kalinga with 3 cases and Apayao having the highest of 10. A total of 24 cases recorded.
In observance of the Rabies Awareness Month, Dr. Cecilia Capuyan, a veterinarian from the Department of Agriculture, told to have regular information campaigns regarding rabies awareness.
Rabies is a contagious, fatal and incurable disease. This can be transmitted through a bite in the saliva of an infected animal. It can spread from animals to humans. Most affected are children between 5-14 years old.
According to Geenie Austria of the Department of Health, when bitten by a dog, first, wash the wound with soap and running water then disinfect wound with alcohol or tincture of iodine before immediately consulting a doctor or seeking the nearest bite center in your locality. She also added about responsible pet ownership that includes not provoking, throwing anything at them, threatening or angering them under any circumstances.
The government on its anti-rabies campaign penalizes dog owners who fail or refuse to register, immune against rabies and put the dog under observation, as mandated under Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-rabies Act of 2007. Pet owners of rabid dogs which might have bitten a victim are also liable for paying the cost of anti-rabies vaccines administered to the victim.
For the whole month of March 2018, there will be a free vaccination from different veterinarian office and barangay clinics for the whole region of Cordillera. **
By Angel Bolla, UB Intern
