10 persons die of rabies
IGNORANCE BLAMED
LINGAYEN—The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is alarmed by the deaths of 10 persons due to rabies, making Pangasinan with the highest number of rabies mortality in Region 1.
Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer, said Tuesday the 10 casualties were aged four to 74 years old. Three were females while seven were males.
The victims were from the towns of Agno, Alaminos City, San Manuel, Sta. Barbara, Lingayen, Laoac, Umingan and San Nicolas with one death each and two others from Mabini town.
In 2015, there were 12 deaths due to rabies recorded in Pangasinan.
De Guzman expressed concern that it is only middle of the year now and the number of rabies casualties already reached 10.
“The victims didn’t ask for medical help, instead merely resorted to tandok,” she said.
Tandok is the local practice of a quack doctor who sucks the blood from the wound directly using his mouth and a bottle and horn of a carabao or a black stone claimed to have the “tooth of the lightning” with healing effect.
De Guzman said when bitten by a dog, the person should apply first aid treatment like thoroughly washing the wound with a soap and clean water and go to the nearest health center or animal bite center.
“Avoid tandok,” she said.
Doctors also advise persons bitten by a dog to observe the animal’s behavior for any changes.
She added that the provincial government has free vaccines for dog bites. (Tita Roces)
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