Every March, the country celebrates Rabies Awareness Month (RAM) in accordance with Republic Act 9482 or the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.”  

The Signs

There are a few symptoms you need to watch out for the next time you suspect that a dog has been infected. For one, check to see whether its normal behavior has changed. Does it bark differently or not barking at all? Is it eating abnormal objects, excessively salivating, or biting without being provoked? If your dog is experiencing any of these, it may be time to bring it to a vet and get it tested.  

First Aid

Rabies is most commonly transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Here are a few steps to applying first aid in the event that you or anyone you encounter is bitten:

1. Your first priority should be to immediately wash and flush the wound with soap and water. Continue doing so for 10-15 minutes.
2. Thoroughly clean the wound with 70% alcohol/ethanol or povidone-iodine.
3. Rush the patient to the nearest hospital or health facility.

Note: Avoid covering the animal bite wound with bandages or dressings.   Moreover, the DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag debunked garlic-rubbing alone as an effective remedy for dog bites. Instead, he highly advised patients to wash the wounds with soap and clean running water as soon as possible. Then, rush the patient to the nearest hospital or center to seek immediate anti-rabies treatment. According to Americanhumane.org, the only way to test for rabies is by examining the dead animal’s brain tissue. The quarantine of an infected-animal is set at ten days. After the signs have developed, the animal will die within ten days.  

Republic Act 9482

In addition to spreading awareness, the law was passed in 2007 to control and eventually rid us of the disease. Furthermore, this also resulted in the formation of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP). Put simply, the program aimed to declare the Philippines free from human rabies by 2016 and overall rabies-free by this year. Following its launch, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine reported that there were 257 deaths in 2010 and only 187 by 2013. However, in 2018, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office announced that “The Philippines is one of the top 10 countries with rabies problem.” Moreover, they have also stated that the disease, which is almost always fatal, is “responsible for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipinos per year.” Without the proper precautions, like being vaccinated against the disease, we and our furry friends may be at risk.  

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  Therefore, last year’s celebration was themed, “Makiisa sa barangayan kontra rabies, maging responsableng pet owner,” in order to promote the cause even further. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explains that “prevention is key in eliminating the Rabies disease.” At the same time, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Health (DOH) have also renewed their promise and have partnered with Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), and the private sector. In Duque’s words, “We have made great strides in eliminating rabies particularly in the Visayas region where a number of provinces were declared rabies-free. Let us continue this positive trend and work together towards completely eradicating this deadly disease. It is my hope to declare the Philippines a rabies-free country by 2030.”   — Residents of Cagayan de Oro City may avail of rabies vaccines at the Madonna And Child Hospital and Cagayan de Oro City Health Office. You can also click here for a complete list of the Philippines’ Animal Bite Clinics and Treatment Centers.  

Sources

• ritm.gov.ph
• businessmirror.com.ph
• pchrd.dost.gov.ph
• www.who.int
• www.doh.gov.ph