Health authorities in Negros Oriental are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a five-year-old girl reportedly due to rabies, an official said.

Dr. Liland Estacion, who heads the Provincial Health Office (PHO), told reporters that initial information said the girl, who hails from Manjuyod town, was bitten by a dog in January.

“The girl was allegedly bitten on the face and neck by the dog, which was already rabid,” Estacion said.

She said, based on early accounts, the girl was not immediately brought to the hospital for treatment.

She was taken to Bais District Hospital only after she manifested symptoms of rabies, she said.

“I have already sent a team to investigate and trace the timeline of circumstances since the girl was first bitten,” Estacion said.

Estacion said local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental are mandated to establish animal bite centers so they do not have to always rely on the PHO or the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The LGUs are given a budget to cover the procurement and dispensation of medicines for animal bite treatment, she said.

Estacion also reiterated her appeal to owners of cats and dogs to be responsible in caring for their pets, such as having them vaccinated against rabies regularly. (PNA)