Rabies cases in Philippines rise to 23% in September 2024, says Department of Health


- Photo: Reuters

MANILA: There has been a 23 per cent rise in rabies cases since the beginning of this year until mid-September compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

As of September 14, the DOH recorded 354 rabies cases nationwide, topping last year’s 287 reported cases.

With the latest data, ten regions, namely the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen have shown an increase in rabies cases in the past month.

With this, the DOH expressed its support for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) budget pitch for animal vaccination due to the country’s consistent number of rabies cases.

“The DOH supports this call for additional [DA] budget allocation for the widespread animal vaccination programme,” the DOH said in a statement.

In April, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said his agency would request Congress at least P110 million in additional budget for next year to vaccinate 22 million dogs and cats to eradicate rabies in the country.

“Rabies is 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, but it is also 100 percent preventable through timely vaccination of dogs and cats and prompt treatment of humans after exposure,” Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa said.

“We cannot afford to be complacent with such a dangerous disease. DOH supports the DA in its request for a complete budget for dog and cat vaccination,” he added.

Under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry is mandated to lead in controlling and eradicating animal and human rabies.

The DOH also urged the public to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing rabies transmission. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Aseanplus News

Singapore revises electoral boundaries ahead of election this year
Malaysia has invited Trump to East Asia Summit, says Anwar
Indian actress Ranya Rao sent to 15-day Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) custody in gold smuggling case
Siti Nurhaliza chuffed to be on King Charles' playlist
Reformed MM2H programme boosts economy with nearly RM1bil annual investments, says IQI
Stray Kids’ Felix walks for Louis Vuitton fashion show after traffic accident
Indonesia removes 1.3 million harmful sites, targeting pornography and gambling
Fisherman who fell into sea near Penang found dead
Jail for elderly Singaporean man who assaulted younger brother and torched his flat in inheritance row
Vocational student murder: Ninth accused claims he was incited to assault victim

Others Also Read