The city government of Caloocan has intensified its anti-rabies program to reduce the risk of people dying from the disease.
Based on the city veterinarian office’s report to Mayor Oscar Malapitan, 40,804 dogs were vaccinated from January to July this year. Of this total, 30,678 were given at District 1 and 9,530 in District 2, while 596 dogs were brought to their office for vaccination during the period.
City veterinarian Dr. Teodoro Rosales said the highest number of animal bite cases was usually registered during summer season, when pets are irritable owing to the heat.
The mass anti-rabies vaccination in barangays aims to reach the animals in order to prevent rabies and to promote responsible pet ownership through seminars.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease transmitted through bites or scratches of animals and can cause death when left unchecked. Dogs account for 99 percent of all rabies cases, although cats and monkeys are also known sources of rabies.
In case of animal bite, Rosales advised residents “to refrain from resorting to hearsay on how to treat animal bites or scratches.” The best way to treat bite wounds, he stressed, is to wash it with soap and running water to get rid of the bacteria, and then proceed to the nearest health center.
