In celebration of Rabies Awareness Month, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), Narra Municipal Agriculture Office and Barangay Vet Aides conducted a week-long “One-Time Big-Time Rabies Prevention Program.
According to Dr. Darius P. Mangcucang, Officer in Charge of PVO, the program was launch to end the rabies disease through a and increase awareness about rabies prevention.
“Walang gamot ang rabies, kaya ang pinakamainam dito ay ang pagbabakuna na nagbibigay ng matatas na anti-bodies sa katawan ng mga alagang hayop na lumalaban sa virus sa panahong ma-infect ang mga ito. Ang pagkakapon naman ay makatutulong sa pagkontrol ng mabilis na pagdami dahil sa hindi kontroladong breeding activities ng mga ito,” said Mangcucang.
According to the Department of Health, Rabies is a vaccine preventable viral disease yet more than 59,000 people die from this disease annually. In the Philippines, it is considered a public health problem as it is one of the most acutely fatal infection, responsible for the deaths of at least 200 Filipinos each year.
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that 99% of all rabies transmissions are from dogs.
During the week-long campaign, around 900 dogs and cats have been vaccinated while 53 were neutered in Narra.
PVO also eyes on expanding the anti-rabies campaign in other Palawan towns soon.