By JEN BAYLON

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed another fatality from rabies — the fourth for this year — in the province: a 25-year-old woman from Kabankalan City who reportedly died on Sunday, May 25.

“There was a case reported at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, but she died in Kabankalan. She was bitten by a dog back in March,” PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said.

The dog that bit the victim has also died.

Pinongan said the patient did not receive any rabies vaccination and was only brought to the hospital when symptoms of human rabies appeared, including hydrophobia and fever.

PHO records showed other rabies fatalities for this year include a six-year-old boy from Don Salvador Benedicto town, a 72-year-old man from Hinoba-an town, and a 21-year-old woman in Cauayan town.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to seek immediate medical attention and vaccination following any animal bite to prevent further tragic losses due to rabies.

Negros Occidental is equipped with 21 animal bite treatment centers located in hospitals, city health offices, and rural health units across the province.

The PHO continues to urge residents to take proactive measures in preventing rabies by ensuring pets are vaccinated, and stray animals are managed effectively./JB, WDJ