BAGUIO CITY – Rabies continues to be one of the major concerns in the Philippines, claiming lives of 200 to 300 Filipinos annually. However, rabies can be prevented and managed. The government, in coordination with various organizations and institutions, is committed to eliminate rabies.
The Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office plays a vital role in eradicating rabies in Cordillera. The DA works hand in hand with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Non-governmental Organization (NGO) and other concerned sectors.
Accordingly, there are 134,122 dog population of the region based on the registry. The DA targets at least 80% of the dog population to be vaccinated.
Also, almost all areas in Cordillera have acquired positive rabies cases in the past five years, except for Abra who managed to be rabies free since 2008 however, one positive case occurred in 2012. On the other hand, Kalinga and Mountain Province carried positive cases all throughout while, Apayao; Baguio City; Benguet; and Ifugao declined records of positive cases.
Further, the records show that rabies cases in Cordillera have dramatically declined by an average of 40 positive cases from 2004 to 2009 while 10 positive cases have been recorded from 2010 to 2014.
With these, the DA continues to battle rabies in Cordillera aiming to be rabies free by 2020.
Amongst the interventions given by the DA to combat rabies are the following:
Mass Dog Vaccination. These campaigns have been the most effective measure for controlling canine rabies.
There are three approaches done in mass vaccination. First is the comprehensive approach which aims to eradicate rabies province-wide. Second, Site-specific approach which covers specific barangays within 5 km-radius of provinces with confirmed rabies case, either human or canine. Third, a quick-response approach which cover barangay within 5 km. radius in municipalities/cities or provinces outside of the site-specific and comprehensive areas whenever a single documented and confirmed human and canine rabies occurs.
Other strategies include continual vaccination and synchronized campaign wherein all provinces will conduct mass vaccination in their respective areas. The DA-livestock sector and other provincial offices offer a free anti-rabies vaccination annually, covering the whole month of March. For this year, the free service will cover three months (March-May). This strategy seeks to promote responsible pet ownership where dog owners could take their dog/cats for anti-rabies immunizations and orientation on pet care.
Another strategy is the house-to-house campaign, which is usually done in remote areas. However, this is done with a service fee of 60.00 per dog.
Another is the set-up of mobile team vaccination in designated areas. In Baguio City, the vaccination drive for the team shall be done on March 27 at Peoples’ Park, which will also be covered live. As partner in this effort, ABS-CBN also helps mobilize the public through spot announcements. This is effective in mobilizing the public as demonstrated last year.
Dog population management. This management impounds stray dogs. Baguio City and Kalinga Province are those that currently have impounding facilities. The second is through spay and neuter which controls animal population to avoid an unwanted litter and decrease population of stray dogs. Results of studies show that neutering coupled with responsible pet ownership and regular vaccination has greatly reduced the occurrences of rabies cases.
Dog movement control or management is a cross-border movement of dogs which requires possession of a health certificate and a proof of rabies vaccination and shipping permit. Dogs/cats for shipment to provinces should be vaccinated before transport with appropriate health certificate and shipping permit should be issued at the point of embarkation.
The DA-Livestock Sector issues a veterinary shipping permit for local transportation of dog while the exportation and importation of dogs will be endorsed to DA-BAI.
Dog walk and dog show. These activities are avenues for promoting responsible pet ownership, thereby it also advocates rabies awareness and welfare of animals.
IEC materials. This includes tarpaulin, brochures, flyers, calendars and video which aims to educate the public on rabies, how to minimize rabies cases, responsible pet ownership, reiterating to avoid tandok while encouraging the public to report rabies incidences to an animal bite center or the nearest veterinary clinic.
Master listing. DA-Livestock Sector generates a master list of all dogs, including pet owners residing in the Cordillera Region for the establishment of a database system.
All governors in the different provinces in Cordillera, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays were requested to help in the preparation of the master list for dog vaccination in their areas of jurisdiction. This will provide an avenue to target accurate population of dogs that needs to be vaccinated.
Creation of ordinances. Municipalities are encouraged to create an ordinance on rabies control based on the need of the community if deemed necessary.
Free laboratory examination. This is to encourage responsive and immediate reporting and submission of animal rabies suspect cases and sample for verification and processing.
Quarterly meeting. The Regional Rabies/Animal Welfare Task Forces Meeting is a regular inter – agency quarterly activity of the Regional Rabies / Regional Animal Welfare Task Force lead by the DA-Livestock Sector.
This is to update members on what is happening on Rabies / Animal welfare programs in the region. It is where members can plan, review and finalize activities and programs in order to eliminate Rabies and implement Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act). Review and evaluation of bite cases and positive Rabies cases are done every meeting to come up with better approaches to minimize such cases.
Further, the task force group plans to do a case study regarding the traceability of rabies cases in Cordillera in order to target the main source of rabies.
Based on the Rabies situation in the Philippines, Cordillera Region ranks third with least positive rabies cases.
By Jelly Pearl Potectan
