Benguet targets 80% anti-rabies vaccination

WITH FIFTY-one percent total dog population vaccinated from January to August this year, antirabies vaccination continues in Benguet Province.

Provincial Veterinarian Miriam Tiongan said there are at least 79,233 dogs and cats surveyed on January 2017 in the province as they eye 80 percent anti – rabies vaccination.

“With four hired vaccinators, as of September 6, we have vaccinated 32,107 or 51 percent,” added Tiongan.

Vaccination will continue on September 12 in the municipality of Kapangan, September19 – 20 at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, September 27 in Tuba, and September 28 in Itogon.

The provincial veterinarian added aside from the accumulation of anti-rabies vaccine, residents should be responsible pet owners for rabies which remains to be 99.9 percent preventable and 100 percent fatal.

As rabies knows no boundaries, Tiongan asked for participation of all who have pets to be responsible pet owners.

Tiongan said rabies can spread from animals to humans. The disease is transmitted when virus which is present in saliva of an infected animal penetrates the skin through a bite.

Benguet General

Hospital Chief of Hospital Dr. Maria Imelda Ulep declared during first quarter of 2018, some 318 patients were bitten by both dogs and cats while 348 patients were infected in the second quarter.

Exposure to rabid biting animal can be prevented through anti rabies vaccine, says Ulep.

Photo by Jean Nicole Cortes BE RESPONSIBLE. Benguet’s veterinarian office encourage each household to only have a manageable number of pets so will be assured of proper care. Benguet is eyeing to vaccinate 80 percent of dogs and cats in the province.