The Department of Health (DOH) said it recorded 211 rabies cases in the country from January 1 to August 2 this year, lower by 21 percent compared to 266 cases in the same period in 2024.

But the agency reminded the public not to be complacent, stressing that rabies is fatal and can be transmitted through bites, scratches, and saliva of infected dogs, cats, and other animals.

“‘Wag maging kampante dahil nakamamatay ang Rabies (Do not be complacent because rabies is fatal),” the DOH said.

Per DOH data, cases were almost equally traced to pets and stray animals. 

Of the total, 121 or 57 percent involved animals with unknown vaccination status.

“Tiyaking bakunado ang mga alagang hayop at maging responsible pet owners (Make sure pets are vaccinated and be responsible pet owners),” the agency stated.

Also, the health department reminded the public to coordinate with veterinarians or local governments for pet vaccinations.

“Hugasan agad ang sugat gamit ang sabon at umaagos na tubig sa loob ng 10 minuto, at agad na kumonsulta sa pinakamalapit na health center o Animal Bite Treatment Center (Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for 10 minutes, and immediately consult the nearest health center or Animal Bite Treatment Center),” the DOH advised.

Rabies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), remains a deadly health concern in over 150 countries, with the heaviest burden in Asia and Africa.

“It is a viral, zoonotic, neglected tropical disease that causes tens of thousands of deaths annually, with 40 percent being children under 15,” it added.

The WHO noted that 99 percent of human cases result from dog bites and scratches, a risk that can be reduced through mass dog vaccination and prevention programs.

Once symptoms develop, the disease is always fatal, the UN health agency emphasized. 

Still, it added that rabies deaths are entirely preventable if patients receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in time.