14 already died from rabies
3 TOWNS TAGGED AS RABIES HOTSPOT
LINGAYEN—Three towns, Dasol, Binalonan and Umingan, registered the highest cases of rabies for the past three years and this year, they already registered 14 human rabies deaths.
The information provided by Dr. Cielo Almoite, in-charge of public health at the Provincial Health Office (PHO), prompted the Sanggunian Panlalawigan to pass a resolution filed by Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, requiring strict implementation of the Anti-Rabies Act.
Rosario cited PHO records that show that in 2015, Pangasinan reported 19,037 animal bite cases, 18,985 treated cases and 19 human rabies deaths but from January to June 2016, alone there are already 14,390 animal bite cases, 13,873 treated cases and 14 human rabies deaths.
He expressed concern that the number of human casualties already reached 14 just over six-month period.
Meanwhile, Ruby Doria, the province’s program coordinator in the PHO on rabies, said that there are about 30,000 dogs in Pangasinan but only 20 percent are vaccinated.
She also called attention to the fact that presently, there only 28 towns/cities out of 44 towns and three cities in Pangasinan that have enacted their ordinances to prevent and control rabies in their own localities.
Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr, presiding officer, said if a local government unit in Pangasinan does not follow rules in handling anti-rabies campaign, “we will obligate it”.
“If they will not follow, we will not pass their budgets,” he added.
“Rabies must be a responsibility of everyone. Despite rigorous campaign, Pangasinan still has a number of reported rabies incidence,” Rosario said.
He reminded the provincial board that the DOH already directs free vaccines for persons who suffered animal bites.
Doria added that all four rabies vaccines can now be availed in all Animal Bite Centers in the province for free. (Tita Roces/PIA-Pangasinan)
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