Rabies kills 5 in Abra province

A SUDDEN rise of 400% increase in the number of rabies virus was noted in the Cordillera Administrative Region compared to the same period of last year.

The province of Abra were the hardest hit after recording five fatalities including a 10-year-old male from Bangued, a 64-yearold male from La-Paz, a 39-year-old male, a 43 year-old female from Salladapan, and a 15-year old male from Manabo.

Department of Agriculture Cordillera Regional rabies coordinator Dr. Arlene Sagayo said Abra had an increase despite the ongoing anti rabies vaccination.

“Nag lay low silang magpa-vaccinate. Maraming hindi nagsusubject for vaccination,” Sagayo said.

Sagayo said the agency is currently in close coordination with the provincial of government of Abra through the provincial

veterinary office to prevent the increase of the disease.

“Kung hindi maagapan kaagad, if they cannot go to the two hour animal bite centers, siguradong mamatay, dapat magpabakuna po agad siya,” Sagayo said.

Sagayo added prevention can be done by administering vaccine at the right time to an animal bite victim while discouraging the use of “tandok”, a folk medicine done by placing a deer horn over the wound, rubbing garlic and vinegar in bite wounds are not effective and can cause more injuries. Lauren Alimondo