DoH Bicol records 12 deaths due to rabies
LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Health’s (DoH) Center for Health Development in Bicol expressed alarm as 12 persons have died due to rabies in the first quarter of 2024.
In the latest report released by the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Database, 12 rabies fatalities have been recorded in the Bicol Region from January 1 to March 9, 2024.
The numbers represent a 100 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Among the six provinces of Bicol, Albay has the highest number of cases with six while Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur have two recorded cases each.
Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte posted a 100 percent increase in rabies deaths.
Catanduanes and Masbate, on the other hand, have zero cases of rabies in the first quarter of the year.
DoH Bicol, meanwhile, is urging the public to have their pets vaccinated for rabies at the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) or any private animal clinic.
Public physician Jannish Alcala-Arellano, local health support division chief, said that rabies is a viral infection most commonly transmitted through animal bites and targets the human nerves.
“The early signs and symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, sore throat, and body aches. It can also cause hallucinations, disorientation, and even paralysis, which can lead to coma and death,” Arellano said.
Arellano underscored the importance of simple preventive measures to combat the rabies virus, such as thorough wound washing with soap and immediate transport of the patient to the nearest ABTC for proper management.
Dr. Mildred Tianes, DoH Bicol infectious disease cluster head, highlighted the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in eradicating cases and fatalities due to the virus.
“Focusing on respective roles and responsibilities, and streamlining our collaboration in the realization of this campaign, we can share and increase awareness about infectious diseases such as rabies to every Bicolano,” Tianes said.
The DoH Bicol reminds the public that the case death rate of rabies is high which means once the clinical symptoms such as headache, fever, headache, pain or numbness of bite site, delirium, paralysis, muscle spasms, hydrophobia and aerophobia is experienced, rabies will lead to death.
The DoH Bicol officials urged the public to be responsible pet owners and get their pets on regular checkups and vaccinations to prevent the spread of rabies virus.