Rabies outbreak hits Negros Occidental

A rabies outbreak has hit at least seven cities and two towns in Negros Occidental, the provincial veterinarian said. Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said one victim died of rabies in San Carlos City on Thursday last week. He said an outbreak is immediately declared to contain the situation against potential spread. “If there are any canine or human confirmed cases of rabies in a locality, even if it is only one, an outbreak of rabies disease is declared according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization," Decena said in a report on the online news site "Visayan Daily Star." If a rabies case is reported, a quick response vaccination sweep of dogs within a one-kilometer radius should be immediately instituted by the local rabies control committee, Decena said. Decena urged dog owners— especially those in the towns of Cauayan, Hinobaan, Manapla and Victorias that have had very few recorded dog vaccinations — to have their dogs vaccinated. He said dog owners should register their dogs in their barangays and pay a one-time fee of P10 to avail of the free dog vaccinations. Campaign on dog vaccinations Decena said Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. instructed government officials in Negros Occidental to help the provincial government campaign for the vaccination of dogs and the control of stray dogs. The provincial government dispatched technical people to assist local governments, Decena said. It also gave an allowance to 1,300 para-vets to help vaccinate dogs as part of its comprehensive province-wide rabies vaccination program. About 72 percent of all the dogs in Negros Occidental have been vaccinated in June and July as part of the provincial government's vaccination campaign. Decena said the target is to vaccinate 100 percent of the province's dog population using the 300,000 doses of rabies vaccines distributed to local governments and para-vet vaccinators. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also provided free vaccines to protect the health of the 1,300 para-vets and other medical personnel, he said. Vaccines for humans bitten by dogs are also being given free at bite centers, he added. The Gates Foundation also provided enough vaccines for all the dogs in Negros Occidental for three consecutive years, and dog vaccinations are thus being given free, he said. Bacolod City has about 50,000 dogs while the 31 towns and cities of Negros Occidental have 214,041, Decena said. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Animal Industry can also declare a local government unit "rabies-free" if there are no reported cases in the area for three consecutive years. – VVP, GMANews.TV