Disasters often come in threes, as the old saying goes.
And if the current health crises of pertussis (whooping cough) and the effects of extreme heat aren't enough, health authorities are raising the alarm on the rise of rabies cases among animals in the Philippines.
This time, it isn’t just dogs and cats but cattle as well, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
At a press conference held during a workshop at the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the agriculture secretary noted two cases of outbreaks of rabies in the Philippines in past months.
Laurel refrained from disclosing the specific locations to prevent panic. However, a previous outbreak had been reported in Boac and Buenavista towns in Marinduque.
Additionally, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a rise in rabies cases in the Ilocos region.
DOH-Ilocos regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco highlighted that six cases had been recorded from January to March, with a 100 percent fatality rate.
Sydiongco emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if bitten by an animal.
Government response
In response to the escalating situation, Laurel convened with a team addressing rabies concerns and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
He stressed the urgency of vaccinating 22 million dogs and cats, estimating a required budget of P110 million.
Laurel appealed for additional funding from the Senate and House of Representatives to combat the outbreak effectively.
DA Assistant Secretary for Livestock Constante Palabrica also expressed concerns about unreported deaths due to low vaccination rates, estimating that 20 percent of rabies-related deaths in the provinces were unreported.
Meanwhile, DOH data revealed that 84 people had succumbed to rabies since January, with daily fatalities recorded last year.
Palabrica emphasized the need to incorporate a budget of P200 million for rabies control in the upcoming year's budget plan
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