'Slight' rise in rabies cases not alarming—DOH exec
Published Mar 11, 2023 03:42 am
There is a “slight” increase in the number of rabies cases this year, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
A total of 55 rabies cases were already recorded as of Feb. 25. This is eight percent higher than the 51 cases logged during the same period last year, said DOH-Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea De Guzman in a forum on Friday, March 10.
Despite the increase in cases, De Guzman said that this is not considered as “alarming.” The rise in cases can be attributed to the improved surveillance and reporting, she said.
“I would not describe it as alarming though it is slightly higher. Bakit slightly higher? Possible na nagi-improve na yung surveillance natin (Why is it slightly higher? It is possible that our surveillance is improving),” she explained.
“Remember for the past three years, we have been very focused on Covid-19. And it is only recently we have resources for diseases other than Covid-19,” she added.
De Guzman said that the regions with the most number of rabies cases were Central Luzon with 11 cases, Calabarzon with nine, Bicol Region with five, Northern Mindanao with four, and Davao Region with four cases as well.
“Mas matatanda yung mga nagiging rabies cases natin (Most of our rabies cases are adults) where 54 percent from 2008 to 2023 are actually among aged 20 to 59 years old, “ said De Guzman.
“Seventy-two percent of our cases naman ay mga lalaki (are men), so ang (the) greater proportion ay (is) among the male sex,” he added.
There are eight provinces in the Philippines that were already declared as “rabies-free,” said De Guzman. These are Siquijor (2008), Batanes (2010), Biliran (2012), Camiguin (2012), Marinduque (2012), Dinagat Island (2015), Catanduanes (2018), and Romblon (2018). Meanwhile, De Guzman said that some cities and municipalities in 14 provinces were also tagged as rabies-free. These include Negros Oriental (two areas), Camotes Island (four areas), Negros Occidental (one area), Southern Leyte (one area) Palawan (11 areas), Quezon (eight areas), Surigao Del Norte (five areas) Batangas (one area), Iloilo (seven areas), Masbate (four areas), Bohol (one area), Northern Samar (two areas), and Zamboanga Sibugay (three areas). With this, De Guzman reminded the public that rabies “can be prevented through vaccination of dogs and other pets and avoiding interactions with wild/stray animals.” Meanwhile, the DOH is currently working with the local government units to increase the number of Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC) in the country. “Marami na tayong centers pero magandang madagdagan pa yan ng mga local government units (We have several centers already but it would be good if local government units could increase the number)... That is part of the effort of the DOH and LGUs—so, we expand access and availability to these treatment centers,” said De Guzman.
Rabies-free zones
There are eight provinces in the Philippines that were already declared as “rabies-free,” said De Guzman. These are Siquijor (2008), Batanes (2010), Biliran (2012), Camiguin (2012), Marinduque (2012), Dinagat Island (2015), Catanduanes (2018), and Romblon (2018). Meanwhile, De Guzman said that some cities and municipalities in 14 provinces were also tagged as rabies-free. These include Negros Oriental (two areas), Camotes Island (four areas), Negros Occidental (one area), Southern Leyte (one area) Palawan (11 areas), Quezon (eight areas), Surigao Del Norte (five areas) Batangas (one area), Iloilo (seven areas), Masbate (four areas), Bohol (one area), Northern Samar (two areas), and Zamboanga Sibugay (three areas). With this, De Guzman reminded the public that rabies “can be prevented through vaccination of dogs and other pets and avoiding interactions with wild/stray animals.” Meanwhile, the DOH is currently working with the local government units to increase the number of Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC) in the country. “Marami na tayong centers pero magandang madagdagan pa yan ng mga local government units (We have several centers already but it would be good if local government units could increase the number)... That is part of the effort of the DOH and LGUs—so, we expand access and availability to these treatment centers,” said De Guzman.