DESPITE the onset of colder weather, the regional office of the DOH- Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) is seeing a rise of rabies cases in Pangasinan, from three in May to six in September.

This was contained in DOH-CHD’s report that Region I documented 21 rabies cases from January 1 to September 16, marking a 110% increase compared to the same period last year’s only 10 cases.

The breakdown includes 10 cases from Ilocos Norte, two in Ilocos Sur, three in La Union, and six in Pangasinan, all of which resulted in fatalities.

Dr. Rheuel Bobis, a Medical Officer of DOH-CHD 1, emphasized that rabies has a high fatality rate once the virus reaches the human brain, particularly when a person is bitten in critical areas like the face, arms, or legs. However, proper medical care and anti-rabies vaccines can prevent the spread.

Meanwhile, Arcely Robeniol, OIC at Pangasinan Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), reported that free rabies vaccinations were administered to 129,628 pets from January 1 to September 28 this year. And on September 29, World Rabies Day, the Pangasinan PVO conducted massive and free medical services hoping to achieve a ‘rabies-free Pangasinan’ soon.

Dr. Bobis mentioned that DOH-CHD 1 is ramping up distribution of equine rabies immune globulin vials and purified chick embryo cells to provincial health offices in the region. (Ahikam Pasion)

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