Lack of vaccines blamed for recent rabies-related deaths in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Lack of anti-rabies vaccines has been blamed for the recent spate of rabies-related deaths in Cagayan province. Eleven people have been reported dead as a result of disease, which is transmitted through the bite of infected mammals, usually stray dogs. The most recent victim was identified as Elena Palattao, a 65-year-old woman from southwestern Rizal town. Since 2007, more than 3,000 people were reported bitten by stray dogs here, causing the exhaustion of the province’s stock of anti-rabies vaccines even before its scheduled replacement from the national government came. A single dose of the vaccine costs at least P1,200, or a total of P4,800 for a complete dose. Doctor Danilo Alonzo, provincial health officer, said the province has yet to approve the funding for stock replacements of the anti-rabies vaccines. “The stock of our anti-rabies vaccines was exhausted earlier than expected because of the abnormal rise in rabies cases since last year and as of now, we cannot afford anymore to subsidize the needed dosage,” he said. Among the popularly known symptoms of rabies infection include hydrophobia (fear of water) and photoaugliaphobia (fear of lights). In 2006, Senator Pia Cayetano sponsored Senate Bill 2541 establishing efforts for mass vaccination of dogs, the impounding of stray dogs, information and education campaign on rabies prevention and control, and practice of responsible dog ownership. The bill aims to make the Philippines rabies-free by 2020. The Philippines ranks sixth in the world today in terms of rabies deaths. - GMANews.TV