The Provincial Rabies Prevention and Control Committee has called on the animal lovers to be responsible pet owners and have their pets vaccinated against rabies amidst increasing cases of animal bites.
In last week’s meeting at the Governor’s Office conference room, the committee chaired by Gov. Joseph C. Cua likewise urged the intensified implementation of the Provincial Rabies Control Ordinance as well as a heightened information dissemination through the distribution of IEC materials.
It also recommended a review of the local ordinances against rabies and the reactivation of the municipal and barangay levels of the RPCC.
On the other hand, the Rabies Elimination Program (REP) coordinator Judy DR. Idanan suggested that the committees lobby with their respective local government units for the allocation of budget for anti-rabies vaccine for humans via cost-sharing bases due to the present inadequate supply.
In her report, Idanan disclosed that the number of animal bite cases in 2024 nearly doubled compared to the previous year based on data from the three Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC) at Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC), Pandan District Hospital (PDH) and Viga District Hospital (VDH).
The total cases jumped from just 5,617 in 2023 to a high 9,813 last year, with 4,320 of them males and 5,488 females.
The capital town of Virac accounted for 40 percent of the total at 3,966 cases, followed by San Andres at 1,111 and Bato at 760.
The animal bites for the other towns are as follows: Viga, 706; Pandan, 595; Caramoran, 569; Panganiban, 489; Baras, 442; San Miguel, 426; Bagamanoc, 359; Gigmoto, 281; and others, 109.
Dog bites were the most numerous at 5,149, followed by exposure to cat bites or scratches at 4,629 and those caused by other animals at 36.
Of the animal bite cases brought to EBMC, 100 percent were given Post-Exposure Prophylaxis WHILE 1,271 were administered with Equine Rabies Immunoglobulin (ERIG) to provide protection to these patients with Category III exposure.
A Category III animal bite is a severe exposure to a potentially rabid animal. It involves single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, contamination of mucous membrane or broken skin with saliva from animal licks, or direct contact with bats.
While all of the 1,063 cases and 1,549 cases brought to PDH and Gigmoto, respectively, were given PEP, only 83 percent were injected with ERIG at PDH and 47 percent at GDH, the report said.
The Committee seeks to maintain Catanduanes’ rabies-free status, by sustaining zero deaths due to human rabies and reducing the increasing number of animal bite.
It also seeks to sustain RIG coverage at 40 percent, 90 percent PEP coverage, and sustain 100 percent of animal bite victims practicing washing of bites with soap and water.
The committee appealed to those concerned to ensure that no anti-rabies vaccine is wasted.
March is Rabies Awareness Month, with the Provincial Health Office and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian spearheading activities such as display of tarpaulin signs in conspicuous places, rabies vaccination in every municipality, dog and cat castration in Gigmoto and San Miguel, IEC campaign and veterinary medical mission, and conduct of symposia in elementary schools.
The two offices also conducted orientation meetings for the PRPCC, municipal RPCCs and all barangay captains, along with a meeting with barangay health workers on the referral of animal bite cases.