UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Rabies is the most dreaded zoonotic disease that kills its victims with 100 percent efficiency. The Philippines’ rabies death toll is 250–300 cases a year. Rabies patients suffer a most horrible death. 

The facts justify the intense fear that grip animal-bite victims (around a million annually), driving them to seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) offered in over seven hundred animal-bite treatment centers nationwide. They endure multiple injections of rabies-immune globulin and rabies vaccines, and fork out over ₱3,000 per treatment. 

The economic costs of rabies and animal-bite treatment are enormous (₱33 billion nationwide) not only in terms of the treatment but also in lost work hours, not to mention the emotional toll of waiting to see if you’ll develop the dreaded disease.

From the above statistics, it is certain that the Philippines, despite its rabies-control program over the years, is far from attaining rabies-free status. That speaks volumes of the program’s lack of success. It’s time to rethink how we can do better.

First and foremost, let us apply the latest scientific research to our approach. The requirement of vaccinating a dog for rabies yearly is no longer scientifically valid, since research shows that certain rabies vaccines provide protection against infection up to five or more years. The reliance on rabies titers as a measure of protection is deceiving, since immune systems develop memory cells that rapidly ramp up anti-rabies antibodies after many years, offering protection from infection. Yet, our veterinarians insist on annual shots, which may also have side effects on dogs. 

Second, there are now effective rabies vaccines that can be given orally, making it easy to immunize stray-dog and -cat populations and wild animals with baits. 

Considering the above, achieving 70 percent vaccination rates within three years (which is the WHO target for elimination of rabies) is most doable, especially if we consider that our geographically dispersed islands serve as barriers to migration of both domestic and wild animals that can carry the rabies virus. 

The best way to eliminate rabies is simply to ensure 70 percent or more vaccination of domestic animals, mainly dogs, which are responsible for the great majority of rabies cases. Focus on this goal and in three to five  years, we can achieve a rabies-free Philippines. 

We must put together a coalition of government agencies (Bureau of Animal Industry or BAI, LGUs), veterinary associations (Philippine Veterinary Medical Association or PVMA and Philippine Animal Hospital Association or PAHA), pet businesses  (veterinary-drugs and vaccine companies), pet food manufacturers and dealers, pet shops, dog-centered organizations (Philippine Canine Club Inc. or PCCI), and animal-welfare organizations (Animal Kingdom, CARA, PAWS), all of which should hold a Rabies Summit to map out a detailed plan to achieve the above goal. If we can vaccinate 90 percent of all dogs just once and microchip them to make identification easier, we will certainly go a long way in eliminating rabies.

It is time for the BAI to act on this zoonotic menace and step up its game in dealing with the rabies problem. Admittedly, it has it hands full dealing with African Swine Fever and Avian Flu, but it can certainly lend its organizational clout and legal mandate to change current rabies-vaccine requirements to a three-year validity and add oral rabies vaccines to its formulary. 

Our local government units have been tasked with implementing the rabies-control program at ground level. The problem is, they don’t fund it enough and there are not enough trained and equipped staff, especially veterinarians, in all localities, thus providing an excuse not to pursue the program’s goals. 

Veterinary associations should lead in applying current research to implement a national rabies-vaccination program without thought of losing income for its practitioners who vaccinate the same dog populations. Recommendations for oral rabies vaccines will broaden vaccination coverage among stray animals and enable non-veterinarians to administer these vaccines at the community level.

Pet businesses importing, manufacturing, and distributing dog foods, supplies, and grooming products such as dog shampoos and the like make big profits, which they should give back in the form of corporate social responsibility by funding the campaigns.  

The Philippine Canine Club Inc., being the foremost organization promoting dog health and welfare, should also be in the forefront of ensuring that dogs don’t die of rabies. Its members also get to benefit from a rabies-free Philippines so their dogs can be freely exported and participate in dog shows internationally sans the need for rabies titers that many countries require us to obtain as a rabies-endemic country. 

If they really care about animals, animal-welfare organizations should concentrate on controlling rabies instead of just rescuing individual dogs willy-nilly to get publicity and funding.

Let us put aside our differences and concentrate on this very important matter that concerns both human and animal health. No person or animal should suffer and die from rabies if we pull together.