rabies cases

AN OFFICIAL from the City Health Office-Animal Bite Treatment Center reported that there are five deaths from rabies as of September.

Dr. Yleona Ysabel Camelotes, CHO-ABTC head, said the number of deaths increased from three reported last year.

“We have five reported cases now, and it’s only September, so it’s clearly increasing,” Camelotes said during the iSpeak Media forum on Thursday.

Of the five deaths, four are reported in Southern Philippines Medical Center and one in Calinan, all males aged 30-59 years old.

Camelotes said that the one fatality from Calinan was reportedly bitten 10 years ago, but did not seek medical help until recently.

“They have poor health-seeking behavior, and no proper education, as they had the vaccination too late,” she stressed.

Accordingly, she also warned against seeking traditional healing or tandok alone and disregarding the safety risks from animal bites.

There are eight satellite offices, namely ABTC Toril, Tugbok, Calinan, Marilog District Hospital, Sasa, Bunawan, Paquibato District Hospital, and Cabantian. This is apart from the main ABTC in Sta. Ana and in SPMC.

The ABTCs have served around 46,000 clients who have availed the free anti-rabies vaccination and medications. Last year, the CHO-ABTC recorded 48,483 rabies-infected cases.

Camelotes reported that the supply of free anti-rabies vaccines is running out, but clients may seek assistance from Lingap para sa Mahirap and from Malasakit Center.

“If ever mahutdan, naa tay tabang para sa Dabawenyo, but ang among ginabuhat is naga-tunga ang pasyente para maka-mura sa ila,” she said.

In February, CHO-ABTC reported that they only have 4,000 allocated free anti-rabies vaccine vials for the year, which can accommodate more or less 1,000 patients.

For 2026, Camelotes said the office is eyeing a larger allocation for the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines, although she did not disclose the funding for the program.