The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has embarked on a massive anti-rabies vaccination and pet registration campaign, in observance of Rabies Awareness Month this March.
In an interview, Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) chief Dr. Loida Valenzuela said that Health Office while the province has recorded zero rabies case so far from January up to present, cats and dogs in the province are given free anti-rabies shots for prevention and control.
She said local government units have activated their respective municipal rabies control units to ensure that no pet is left behind in the intensified anti-rabies vaccination drive.
“Our vaccinators are deployed in various parts of the province for the vaccination campaign in the barangay level. Walk-ins are also entertained at the PVO along Gomburza Street,” Valenzuela said.
She said a pet survey and registration is also underway for proper monitoring, as well as to determine the budget to be allocated for succeeding campaigns.
“The veterinary office is also prioritizing the capture and rescue of rabies-infected animals to mitigate infection,” she added.
In Laoag, a mandatory pet registration is also ongoing to encourage responsible pet ownership.
This comes with a registration fee of PHP50 per dog per year to be collected by the concerned barangay per City Ordinance No. 2003-029.
Dr. Samantha Licudine, city veterinarian, appealed for responsible pet ownership among residents, emphasizing the importance of getting regular anti-rabies vaccinations for pets, keeping pets inside their property, and providing proper care for animals so they don’t end up as strays.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and warm-blooded animals, particularly dogs.
Records from the National Rabies Prevention and Control program show there are about 300 to 600 Filipinos who die of rabies every year.
Early signs include fever and tingling at the bite site, usually followed by violent excitability, a fear of water, paralysis in some parts of the body, or loss of consciousness.
Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly fatal, usually manifesting one to three months after the bite. (Leilanie Adriano)
(PNA)