BACOLOD CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) logged a 50 percent increase in animal bite cases here.
Dr. Carlo Ortega of the CHO said that 9,000 patients were recorded in 2022 and went up by 5,000 to 14,000 in 2023.
Ortega said that 1,400 cases were listed monthly from January to March this year while 1,700 were reported last month.
DR. John Michael Cabugwason (left), assistant city veterinarian, and Dr. Carlo Ortega from the City Health Office (CHO) grace a media interview at the Bacolod City Government Center. (Glazyl Masculino)
“Majority of these cases involved pet owners,” Ortega said, adding that there the number of pet owners increased during the pandemic.
Ortega said that this city has enough supply of anti-rabies vaccine.
The CHO has 6,000 vials (active) and 900 vials (passive) anti-rabies vaccines. “We’re good for another six months,” Ortega said.
Ortega said that majority of the cases were Category 2 patients with wound but no bleeding. These patients were advised to purchase vaccines at the pharmacy before going to the CHO for injection.
He said that not all patients can receive the free anti-rabies vaccines as these are only allowed for Category 3 patients or those with deep wounds and bleeding that need full treatment which is covered by PhilHealth.
Dr. John Michael Cabugwason, assistant city veterinarian, stressed the need to strengthen people’s awareness on animals and rabies. “It’s more of a precautionary measure and being vigilant,” he said.
Cabugwason said they are targeting 70 percent or 70,000 out of about 100,000 owned and stray dogs here to be vaccinated to establish a herd immunity against rabies.
He said that they have finished their mass anti-rabies vaccination on 1,300 dogs in Barangays Tangub, Singcang-Airport, and Taculing.
In the coming weeks, Cabugwason said that 2,400 vials or 24,000 doses will arrive in this city for their next vaccination drive targeting Barangays Pahanocoy, Sum-ag, Punta Taytay, and Cabug.