LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Rabies cases in three provinces in the Bicol region have increased by 100 percent from January 1 to March 9 compared to the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH)-Bicol said on Thursday, March 21.

The DOH said that a total of 12 rabies cases have been recorded in the region in a span of less than three months and all of these were fatal.

The province of Albay topped the list with six cases while the provinces of Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur have two cases each. The provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes have no rabies cases so far this year.

The DOH said that Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Norte posted a 100 percent increase in rabies cases. On the other hand, the number of cases in Camarines Sur decreased by 60 percent compared to last year.

Jed Bailon, Albay Provincial Health Office (APHO) epidemiology and surveillance unit coordinator, said rabies cases this year were the result of last year's animal bites.

"’Yung naitala pong kaso ng rabies sa Albay ay nung last year pa nakagat. ‘Yung latest ay ‘yung five-years-old sa bayan ng Tiwi. Napabayaan, hindi nagpa-bakuna kaya namatay," he said.

(Rabies cases recorded in Albay were the result of last year’s animal bites. The latest case was a five-year-old child in the town of Tiwi. It was neglected, wasn’t vaccinated, and died) 

He said that most cases are dog bites and instead of going to animal bite treatment centers for rabies vaccines, victims availed of the services of an "albularyo" or quack doctors for treatment.

"Karamihan po sa kanila pumunta ng albularyo. Imbes na magpabakuna, nagpa-‘tandok’ kung tawagin," Bailon said.

(Most of them availed of the services of quack doctors. Instead of getting vaccinated, they availed of ‘tandok’ or folk medicine) 

One of the six rabies cases in Albay is still under investigation to determine how the victim got the rabies virus.

Bailon said the victim allegedly ate a butchered dog with rabies symptoms called “rungaw.” 

“So patuloy pa ang ginagawang imbestigasyon para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang dahilan at para tama ‘yung impormasyon na ibibigay natin," he said.

(We are continuing our investigation to determine the real cause and verify the information given to us) 

With the alarming rise of rabies in the province, Bailon said that APHO is conducting massive vaccination of pet dogs and cats in every barangay.

"Nakikipag-coordinate na rin po tayo sa mga barangay officials para mas pang palakasin ang program kontra rabies. Nagsasagawa rin kami ng mga symposiums at seminars sa mga barangay para mas lalo pang mapalakas ang awareness kontra rabies."

(We have coordinated with barangay officials to boost our anti-rabies programs. We are conducting symposiums and seminars in barangays to raise awareness against rabies)

The DOH-Bicol and APHO have urged the public to be responsible cat or dog owners. “Get your pets vaccinated to avoid the continuous spike of rabies cases that always resulted to death,” they said.Get your pets vaccinated to avoid the continuous spike of rabies cases that always resulted to death,” they said.