By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After three dog bites were reported in Candoni last week, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has been conducting massive dog vaccinations in the municipality.

The dog bite victims were seven, 13, and 15-year old residents of the town’s Barangay East.

Provincial rabies coordinator, Dr. Ryan Hanoya, confirmed the dog in question tested positive for rabies, which prompted the deployment of their quick response team.

The campaign resulted in 230 dogs being vaccinated.

From January to February this year, the PVO has already recorded two rabies cases in Himamaylan City and Candoni.

“We are urging the city and municipal veterinarians, and livestock coordinators, to conduct massive dog vaccinations,” Hanoya said.

The PVO has also been reminding the public to immediately report dog bites and to have dogs tested for rabies.

Between January and August last year, the Department of Health reported rabies contracted from dogs was responsible for the deaths of eight people in the Western Visayas. Half of those cases were reported in Negros Occidental./DGB, WDJ