The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to have their pets vaccinated against rabies as more than 200 rabies cases have been recorded nationwide since the start of this year.

A total of 275 rabies cases were already recorded in the Philippines since January, DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The top regions with the highest number of rabies cases were Central Luzon with 40 cases, Calabarzon with 31, as well as Davao region and Soccsksargen with 28 cases each, DOH data showed.

“Usually, pag nakakakita tayo ng kaso ng rabies (when we see a case of rabies), most of them were bitten by domesticated animals,” said Vergeire.

Vergeire said that rabies is a “very serious disease,” adding that “it has an almost 100 percent case fatality rate.”

This is especially serious if the person was bitten in “critical areas” like the face, hands, and feet, where there are several blood vessels “because the organism travels fast inside the body,” she said.

There will be “lesser” risk for someone bitten by an animal as long as it is vaccinated against rabies, said Vergeire.

“Maiiwasan ang rabies kung ipaparegister po natin sila sa ating local government at papabakunahan din po ng anti-rabies para maging safe din tayo kung saka-sakali na makagat tayo (Rabies can be prevented if we will register our pets to our local government and have them vaccinated with anti-rabies, so that we can be safe in case we are bitten),” she added.

In case you are bitten by your pet, Vergeire said it is important to immediately wash the affected area using soap and water and immediately go to health centers or hospitals.