Cagayan alarmed by deaths due to rabies

TUGUEGARAO CITY: The Animal Bite Treatment Center of the Provincial Health Office (ABTC-PHO) of the provincial government of Cagayan is alarmed by the increasing number of deaths due to rabies in the province.

Based on the ABTC-PHO data, there are already five deaths due to rabies recorded from January to March, compared to 2023 when there were five cases for the entire year.

Shamoon de Yro, PHO National Rabies Prevention and Control Program coordinator, said the five recorded deaths were from Tuguegarao City and the towns of Allacapan, Solana Abulug, and Alcala.

De Yro said the victims who were of majority age did not immediately consult and receive anti-rabies vaccination and one of the victims reportedly chose the wrong practice of “tandok.”

The ABTC-PHO along with stakeholders and partner agencies said they lack nothing in providing anti-rabies vaccine and information related to the rabies disease.

The center said the main reason for the increase in the number of rabies victims is the non-vaccination of pets such as dogs and cats.

De Yro explained that the rabies virus will not end as long as there are irresponsible pet owners who are not willing to have their pets vaccinated for rabies.

“If all pet dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and all are properly cared for, and no dogs and cats are wandering, there will be no victims of human rabies,” he said.

De Yro also said that rabies comes from dogs and cats that are not properly cared for and is transmitted through an infected bite because it is not part of a dog’s or cat’s system.

“So it is very important to be a responsible pet owner to not let our pets wander and instead get them vaccinated. Rabies is deadly so let us not ignore it,” he said.

The ABTC-PHO has also strongly reminded that if bitten by a dog or cat, it must be observed for seven up to 14 days.

“If the pet shows symptoms of rabies and dies, the person bitten by the same dog must go to the nearest bite center immediately. It is also a good idea to take the deceased pet to a bite center to be evaluated,” it said.

The ABTC-PHO said that not only dogs and cats can have rabies but also goats, buffaloes, monkeys, horses, bats and pigs, especially if they are bitten by other animals that have rabies.

The Cagayan Province Information Office said the province has 13 bite centers, including the ABTC-PHO located in the Capitol Complex in this city; the Sub-Capitol in Bangag in Lal-lo town; and the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

There are also bite centers in the towns of Sanchez Mira, Claveria, Ballesteros, Aparri, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Gattaran, Baggao, Tuao and Solana.