LINGAYEN—After being appraised of the reported increase in deaths by rabies during the first quarter, the provincial board adopted a resolution seeking to strengthen the campaign against rabies in the province.

During its May 4 regular session, the Board approved provincial resolution no. 1319-2015 “urging all local chief executives to fully implement and intensify their respective anti-rabies campaign” in the province.

Board Member Amado Espino III, author of the resolution, cited 11 confirmed deaths due to rabies last year, while 12 deaths were already reported on the first quarter of 2015.

The resolution cited reports that animal bites and rabies infections continue to pose serious public health problems in the province.

According to Dr. Eric Perez, officer-in-charge provincial veterinarian, this year’s death cases were listed in San Carlos City, Dasol, Tayug, San Fabian, Bautista, and Sta. Barbara although their programs on massive vaccination and information and education campaign are regular and continuing.

Last year, the PVO set a target of 70 percent of the 268,200 estimated total dog population in the province to be vaccinated, yet only about 22 percent was covered.

Since last March up to May, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has been conducting an intensive vaccination campaign against rabies in the province, providing immunization to the province’s dog population and to prevent and control rabies incidence in the province.

Perez disclosed there are already about 300,000 “askals” or asong kalye (street dogs) in the province at present, and are likely infected with rabies.

Mr. Espino said there is reason to be alarmed over the rising incidences of rabies bite cases in the province, despite all the anti-rabies programs of the province.

He encouraged parents to be mindful of their children to avoid getting bitten by dogs and to seek immediate medical attention in case their kids are bitten by infected animals. The resolution enjoined barangay officials to spearhead the dissemination of information.

Further, Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. suggested for a provincial ordinance to regulate dogs in the province “at an appropriate time.”- (Johanne R. Macob)

PHO ENDORSES ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN

Meanwhile, assistant provincial health officer of Pangasinan, Dr. Jeremy Rosario, confirmed that rabies is a very deadly disease.

However, Dr. Rosario said though rabies is deadly, it can nevertheless be prevented and treated once a person bitten by a rabid dog or cat is injected with anti-rabies vaccine and completes the full cycle of injection recommended by a health professional.

Rosario said 2 of those who died of rabies from January to April this year were from Dasol, 2 also in Burgos, another 2 in Binalonan while the 6 others were from 6 separate towns of Pangasinan.

Rosario told the KBP Forum that deaths occur when the person bitten by rabid dog is brought to the hospital at a late stage or when the person is already in serious condition.

He said only four of the 14 hospitals being operated by the provincial government have no Animal Bite Center.

The anti-rabies vaccine costs P1,400 to P1,600 but in the Animal Bite Centers of hospitals operated by the province, it is given free, said Rosario.

He also warned that if a person dies or hospitalized for rabies, there may be a need to inject all members of the family who came in contact with the infected person with the vaccine.

Rabies attacks the person’s nervous system and that rabies travel in the body of a person at the rate of three millimeter per day. (Leonardo Micua)

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