A pet owner has his dog vaccinated during the government’s anti-rabies campaign. (CDN FILE)
The Department of Health is focusing on the barangays and the pet owners as it intensifies its campaign against rabies this year.
“We will visit towns and assist the LGUs (local government units). The campaign will also go down to the barangay level,” said Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH) director.
Bernadas said that barangay officials will be more effective in this campaign because they generally know who among their constituents are pet owners.
Bernadas also encouraged pet owners to observe the “Responsible Pet Ownership Law” to prevent animal bite cases and deaths caused by rabies.”
Bernadas was referring to Section 5 of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act 9482) which outlines the responsibilities of the pet owner.
Violators face fines ranging from P2,000 to P10,000.
“Dili kay abi nga nag buhi ta ato na lang pasagdaan atong hayop. Ato sad bantayan sila nga di makapasakit ug dili makahatag ug perwisyo (If we have pets, we should make sure that they don’t hurt or cause trouble to others),” he said.
Bernadas, who pointed out the lack of advocacy of some LGUs in the region, called for a more active participation of all LGUs in the campaign.
According to the DOH, the number of deaths in Central Visayas caused by rabies decreased since 2010 until last year but the number of animal bite cases has increased since 2008.
There were 13 deaths in 2010, 10 in 2011, 7 in 2012 and 4 cases in 2013.
The animal bite cases, there were 17, 387 cases (2008) , 20,338 cases (2009) , 26, 298 cases (2010), 28,964 cases (2011) , 34, 678 cases (2012) and 50,755 cases for 2013.
Dr. Jocelyn Tabotabo, DOH Rabies and TB Program coordinator , however, said that the increase in the animal bite cases means that more people are now going to the Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC) for consultation and treatment of their bites.
The DOH has 42 of these centers in Central Visayas with 21 of them in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province.
Tabotabo also said that an immunization drive in the region called “Rabies-Free Visayas Project” has not reached its target of 70-percent coverage in the region.
She said that they plan to reach more than 70 percent coverage in 2015.
The DOH has declared at least six areas in the Visayas as Rabies Free zones. These are Siquijor, Apo Island, Malapascua, Camotes Island and Olympia Island.
Tabotabo said that areas declared “Rabies-Free Zones” should have zero animal bite case and zero rabies casualty.
The health department also discourages those bitten by animals from going to traditional healers for treatment.
Bernadas said scientific treatment and faith in God can heal these animal bite victims.
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