By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Recently released data from the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) Animal Bite Center showed, between January and last Tuesday, March 19, there have been 1,929 recorded dog bites in the city.
CHO Rabies Coordinator Gloria Parreño pointed out a downward trend in the number of dog bites reported as there were 518 cases recorded this month, down from the 794 in January.
The CHO coordinator also said their supply of anti-rabies vaccinations is limited. However, she noted, the Department of Health-Region VI is scheduled to send 150 vials in the next quarter.
Parreño urged parents to advise their children not to play with dogs.
Earlier this month, the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office confirmed there were six rabies-related fatalities recorded within the first two months of 2019. Provincial rabies nurse coordinator Rafael Marmolejo III noted, the data spans from January 1 to March 5.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office said they were stepping up efforts to reduce the number of rabies cases, with an ultimate goal of eradicating the province of the disease.
In 2018, canine rabies cases in Negros Occidental jumped to 33, up from the 22 reported in the previous year./DGB, WDJ