The Department of Agriculture in the Western Visayas yesterday confirmed the region ranks second nationwide in rabies cases reported in 2019. Department of Agriculture-Region VI rabies control coordinator, Dr. Pacifico Lumauag, said the region reported a total of 25 rabies-related fatalities last year.
Statistics presented by the department official showed the population of dogs in the region surpassed 500,000 in 2019.
Lumauag said the number of cases in the region was due to a lack of anti-rabies vaccines. However, he said the Department of Budget and Management has allocated P8 million this year for the purchase of anti-rabies treatments.
He also called on local government units in the region to help the Bureau of Animal Industry in purchasing the vaccines.
Last year, the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) Animal Bites and Treatment Center recorded a seven percent reduction in the number of animal bite cases in the city.
CHO Rabies Coordinator Gloria Parreño said, based on records from January to May 31, they have recorded a total 3,723 animal bites cases, which is lower than the 3,991 reported during the same period in 2018.
During last year’s World Rabies Day observance, which serves as a means of raising awareness on prevention methods, the World Health Organization noted, rabies is found on every continent except Antarctica; however, 95 percent of cases are reported in Asia and Africa./DGB, WDJ