Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan aims to be rabies-free by 2010.
This is according to Dr. Emma Cortes, Provincial Health Officer II here when she welcomed the guests and participants to the Update/Meeting on Rabies Prevention and Control Program held recently at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center at Old Buswang, Kalibo.
Dr. Cortes said rabies is a very fatal disease and the Philippines is one of the top 10 countries with high incidence of human deaths due to rabies.
According to Dr. Cortes, Region 6, where Aklan belongs, had the highest number of rabies deaths in 2005 with 39, while Region 3 had 33 and Region 5, 30.
“Aklan had three rabies deaths in 2006 and in the early part of 2007, one already died, from the municipality of Altavas,” Cortes disclosed.
Based on updates on Rabies Prevention and Control of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian headed by Dr. Gervase Radislao, 7,671 heads or 13.8% of the total dog population were vaccinated in 2006 while from January – April of this year, 961 dogs were vaccinated. OPVET – Aklan aims to vaccinate 80% of Aklan’s total dog population now numbering more than 55,000 to attain Aklan’s vision of being rabies-free by 2010.
On the other hand, the Provincial Health Office here noted in its 2006 accomplishment report that of the dog bite cases in Aklan, mostly bitten are males 15 and below. The PHO also found out that in Aklan, there is a low percentage of dog vaccination; implementation of Rabies Control Ordinance in municipalities is poor and weak; pet owners are irresponsible, municipal rabies control committees are not organized; and there is an inadequate supply of dog vaccines.
The meeting/update was highlighted with the lecture/talk of Dr. Alberto Gabriel, currently holding the position of Army Chief Surgeon of the Philippine Army, who discussed the Rabies Control Program Updates.
Dr. Gabriel talked on the different manners of transmission of rabies from dogs to humans, rabies prevention and the guidelines on the management of animal bite patients.
Dr. Gabriel revealed that rabies could be transmitted through exceptional cases like the inhalation of virulent aerosol; man-to-man transmission of infected corneas; and by eating dog meat or “kilawin”.
He also revealed that in 98% of dog bite cases, 88% were caused by pet dogs while only 10% were due to stray dogs and although there are two clinical forms of rabies – the esophalitic and the paralytic, both will progress to coma and death.
Dr. Gabriel also talked on the proper care of wounds cause by dog bites as well as the different bite categories and what to do according to the categories.
“When bitten by a dog, first thing you must do is to wash the wound vigorously with soap and water for 10 minutes, then apply antiseptic or alcohol. Keep the wound open and do not apply any ointment or even garlic,” Dr. Gabriel emphasized to the more or less 50 participants composed mostly of government doctors, nurses, midwives, Provincial Health Office Officials and representatives of various national and provincial offices and the local media.
“Rabies is 100% fatal disease but preventable,” Dr. Gabriel stressed. (PIA/VGVillanueva)
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