MALOLOS CITY—The Bulacan provincial government has intensified it anti-rabies campaign through free pet vaccination in an attempt to curb number of deaths resulting from dog bites.
Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado said the campaign against the fatal disease is a year-long battle.
“Hindi ito pang-isang buwan lang dahil ang pinag-uusapan dito ay buhay ng ating mga kababayan at talaga namang ginagawa natin ito ng libre para hindi na makadagdag pa sa problema ng ating mga mamamayan,” Alvarado said noting that the disease is preventable.
Last year, at least 13 persons died of rabies in the province. The said number is up by three based on 2007 record.
Dr. Voltaire Basinang, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said that as of the first week of April, they have already vaccinated 35,356 dogs, impounded 316 stray dogs, and euthanized 197 dogs.
Records also show that during the first quarter of the year, 17 dogs and a cat were infected with rabies.
“Pinakamaraming nakakagat ng aso o pusa ‘yung mga edad 7-15 dahil bakasyon ‘yung mga ganitong edad na madalas nasa kalsada at naglalaro kaya mas tumataas ‘yung bilang ng animal bites. Dapat mas mag-ingat tayo at huwag nang nilalaro ‘yung mga aso to the point na makakagat kayo.
Hindi dahil mukhang mabait eh hindi na nangangagat lalo na ‘yung mga hindi nyo naman kilala,” said Basinang.
According to the Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), 19,728 Bulakenyos were given free anti-rabies vaccine last year and more than 3, 500 individuals as of first quarter this year.
“Yung sugat na sanhi ng kagat ng aso o pusa o anumang hayop na maaring magdala ng rabis ay kinakailangang malinis agad ng tubig at sabon at dagliang kumunsulta sa pinakamalapit na Animal Bite Treatment Center dito sa BMC upang mabigyan ng tamang gamot.
Huwag po tayong pumunta sa mga tawak,” said Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, PPHO head.
