FILE PHOTO: Pet owners bring their dogs to Plaza Independencia, Cebu City to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination in this June 25, 2016 file photo.
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Central Visayas is experiencing a rise in animal bite cases, with 19 suspected rabies-related deaths being investigated.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) observed an increase in the total number of animal bite cases being reported during the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year.
Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, program manager of DOH-7’s Communicable Diseases Section, said they already recorded at least 59,000 cases of animal bites between January and June.
“Unfortunately, medyo nitaas gyud atong kaso sa animal bites sa tibuuk Central Visayas,” said Buscato in an interview with state media dyMR-Cebu.
(Unfortunately, animal bite cases has increased in the whole Central Visayas.)
Of these figures, the DOH-7 is currently investigating 19 mortalities that may be related to the deadly rabies. In 2022, the health department only recorded seven suspected rabies mortalities.
Rise in Animal Bites
Based on the Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS) from the DOH, Central Visayas indeed noted a rise in the number of animal bite cases reported.
For 2018 and 2019, the region logged zero animal bite cases.
But in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to stay in their houses, Central Visayas saw a sharp increase in animal bite cases. That year, DOH recorded 15,195 animal bite cases, three of which were confirmed deaths due to rabies.
The following year 2021, animal bites in Central Visayas slightly dipped to 8,808 with one confirmed mortality. However, in 2022, it rose again to 12,952 with two confirmed deaths.
Rabies, as defined by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), preventable viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. When left untreated, it can lead to death.
The CDC stated that the rabies virus is usually transmitted through direct contact with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal.
DOH-7 has advised those who suffer animal bites to immediately wash the bitten area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, and then seek professional help.
Reasons for rise in animal bite cases
DOH-7 officials attributed the rise in the number of animal bite cases to several factors. These included more people going to health centers to report being bitten, raising awareness on rabies prevention as well as the growing number of individuals keeping pets.
“Daghan na gyud run ang nireport sa tambalanan. Sa una, di pa kaayo familiar ang mga tawo nga naay libre nga tambal (para iwas rabies),” explained Buscato.
(There have been a lot of reports from hospitals. Before, people weren’t that aware that there were free medicines for rabies.)
Most of the animal bite cases recorded in Central Visayas came from people with domesticated animals, Buscato said.
“Tuod man, kasagaran naay bakuna,” he added.
(True enough, most of them are vaccinated.)
In the meantime, DOH-7 urged the public, especially those who keep pets, to get themselves and their furry loved ones vaccinated against rabies.
Buscato also stressed that they can get anti-rabies vaccination and treatments from Animal Bite Treatment Centers in Rural Health Units and District Hospitals.
“Nagkadaghan najud pag ayo ang atong mga Animal Bite Treatment Centers. Naa natay usa ka gatos sa tibuok Central Visayas ug kini nagpamatuod nga atong mga RHUs and LGUs nakita jud nila na problema jud and rabies ug kinahanglan jud ta mo lihok ani,” he said.
(Our Animal Bite Treatment Centers are increasing. We have 100 in the whole Central Visayas and this proves that our RHUs and LGUs are aware of the rabies problem and something has to be done.)
Last September 28, Central Visayas joined in observing World Rabies Day with the theme ‘All for 1, One Health for All’ that aimed to ‘highlight the importance of a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving professionals from the fields of human, animal and environmental health.’
/bmjo
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