- Davao region has an alarming rate of human rabies cases
- Human rabies is an infection obtained when bitten by a dog and failure to get post-vaccination
- Human rabies is 100% fatal
The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed alarm over the rising human rabies cases in Davao region, which is currently ranking 7th in the whole Philippines.
The incidence rate of human rabies in the region stands at 1.5% while the national rate is 4.2%. DOH regional officer Devine Hilario said this is alarming because human rabies is 100% fatal.
Hilario was cited in an earlier InterAksyon story that there were a total of 22 deaths in 2014 and 16 in 2013 caused by the human rabies. He explained that the infection is obtained by a patient who did not seek post-vaccination after a dog or animal bite.
In 2014, Davao region has a total of 33,009 animal bite cases, which is a huge increase from 2013’s 20,684 figure.
“DOH medical coordinator Dr. Gracita Berguia said the high number of animal bite cases can be attributed to improved reporting system and the increase of animal bite centers where people can access easily,” the story wrote.
The health department has set the country to be human rabies free by this year but the goal seems far-fetched with a rising number of cases. The World Health Organization even noted that rabies continues to be a public health concern in the country.
DOH reminds persons attacked by animals to avail post-vaccination. He also sought pet owners to be responsible of their pets as local government units is also doing its part to capture stray dogs that might be infected.
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