RISE IN RABIES INCIDENCES

LINGAYEN—The provincial government has every reason to be alarmed over the rising incidence of rabies in Pangasinan, now considered the province with the highest number of rabies cases in the entire country per a national survey of the Department of Health (DOH).

Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario echoed this sentiment. “To me, it is alarming because in 2014, we were fourth highest in the list of provinces with highest incidence of rabies, now we are number one,” said Rosario at the sideline during the Health Leaders’ Summit on Rabies Prevention and Control on September 28 at Sison Auditorium.

In the world, the Philippines now ranks 10th in the number of rabies incidence.

Rosario, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committee on health, and former assistant provincial health officer, said in 2015, there were 19 who died from rabies and already 14 have been reported this year to date although there are three more months to go before the year ends.

This status of Pangasinan was confirmed in the forum by Irene Madonna Almeida, coordinator of the Infectious Disease Program of the Department of Health, who said that in 2015, Region 1 registered 25 deaths due to rabies, 19 from Pangasinan, six from La Union and zero in both Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Rosario revealed that towns now being watched with the highest incidence of rabies are Dasol, cities of San Carlos and Dagupan, and Malasiqui in that order.

He told the summit that the present situation in Pangasinan about rabies should serve as a challenge to all Pangasinenses, that they must do their part in reducing and eradicating the virus.

Pangasinenses, he said, should take the initiative to submit their pets for vaccination now being conducted door-to-door all over by the Provincial Veterinary Office.

He also urged local media to help create further awareness on consequences of irresponsible ownership of pets, particularly dogs and cats, refusing to have their pets vaccinated.

The implementation of Responsible Pet Ownership Act, remains half-hearted today, he said, noting that only 34 of the 47 towns and cities enacted their respective local ordinance seeking the prevention and control of rabies in their respective localities.

Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer Anna De Guzman attributed the human death cases in Pangasinan to non-access to Animal Bite Centers or lack of awareness and taking the bites lightly resorting to self-medication.

She said Pangasinan has 16 animal bite centers, most of which are located in hospitals being run by the provincial government where patients can avail of free four doses of vaccinations.

Dr. Eric Jose Perez encouraged all dog owners to have their male pets castrated. In this way, he said, dog population can be controlled aside from the fact that their tendency to go wild can be minimized. (Leonardo Micua)

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