In celebration of Rabies Awareness Month, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), renew their commitment to end the rabies disease through a campaign to increase awareness about rabies prevention. The theme this year is “Makiisa sa barangayan kontra rabies, maging responsableng pet owner.”

Rabies is a vaccine preventable viral disease, yet more than 59,000 people die from this disease annually. In the Philippines, it is considered a public health problem as it is one of the most acutely fatal infection, responsible for the deaths of at least 200 Filipinos each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of all rabies transmissions are from dogs.

“Prevention is key in eliminating the Rabies disease. 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans are from dogs. Be a responsible pet owner and vaccinate your pets. This is the most cost-effective strategy to prevent rabies,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III stated.

The partnership with DA, Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs) and the private sector, aims to strengthen the prevention campaign to avoid unnecessary deaths due to rabies. The campaign focuses on responsible pet ownership and vaccine availability at established Animal Bite Treatment Centers.

“We have made great strides in eliminating rabies particularly in the Visayas region where a number of provinces were declared rabies-free. Let us continue this positive trend and work together towards completely eradicating this deadly disease. It is my hope to declare Philippines a rabies-free country by 2030,” the health chief concluded.

Rabies is acquired from virus in saliva entering a bite wound caused by an infected animal, usually a rabid dog. The severity of the bite determines the risk of infection. The disease does not usually spread from man to man. (Source)

Press Release