SEPTEMBER 28 is World Rabies Day, and for the first time in its 19-year history, the theme for this year’s observance does not include the word “rabies.”
“Act now: You, Me, Community” is calling on everyone to take responsibility, work together, and drive real change.
Rabies, a neglected tropical disease, is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease that affects the central nervous system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of human rabies cases are a result of virus transmission from dogs, and the most vulnerable to rabies are children aged 5-14 years old. Every year, 59,000 rabies-caused human deaths all over the world are recorded by WHO.
DOH Davao data shows that an average of 4,181 animal bite cases are recorded monthly in the Davao Region. An average of two people die from rabies every month.
DOH Davao works with local government units to scale rabies prevention and treatment through providing rabies exposure management training for doctors and nurses, and vaccine augmentation.
DOH Davao also encourages the public to help prevent rabies by getting vaccinated and by being a responsible pet owner: do not let your pets roam freel,y and register and vaccinate your pets. Seek immediate medical attention from DOH-certified animal bite treatment centers when bitten or scratched by your pets.
“World Rabies Day highlights the relationship between our pets and our health,” said DOH acting regional director Dr. Ellenietta HMV N. Gamolo.
She added that rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership are in our hands. The responsibility is shared among local leaders, too! Their leadership can ensure that resources are in place for vaccination and registration in communities. They can also enact policies that create safer neighborhoods by impounding stray animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. DOH Davao PR
