GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Health personnel in South Cotabato warned dog bite victims to refrain from seeking the traditional "tandok" treatment for rabies as three deaths were already reported since January due to the deadly viral disease.
John Codilla, rabies focal person of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said Wednesday the three victims did not seek proper treatment in a hospital or animal bite center, but opted for the "tandok" method.
He said the fatalities, which were bitten by rabid dogs, were from the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Banga and Tupi.
One of the cases was already confirmed as due to rabies infection while the two others were still considered "probable" pending confirmation, he said.
"Instead of getting vaccination for rabies, they sought for treatment through tandok, which had long been proven to be ineffective," Codilla said in a radio interview.
"Tandok" is a method used by traditional healers in supposedly extracting the rabies virus from the bite wound through the use of animal horn.
Although it has long been declared by doctors as ineffective in the treatment of rabies, the practice remains popular in the province, especially in rural areas.
Codilla said the other traditional practices like making bite victims drink coconut oil and the application of garlic on the wound should also be avoided.
"The most effective treatment for rabies is still through vaccination so bite victims should immediately seek help from our bite centers," he said.
The IPHO earlier said bite victims should wash their wounds thoroughly with soap and water and apply antiseptic.
They should then proceed to the nearest animal bite center or health facility for proper assessment for potential rabies exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis management.
In 2017, the province recorded the highest number of rabies cases and deaths in recent years with 18.
The confirmed rabies deaths were recorded in Koronadal City and in the municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, Tboli, Norala, Surallah and Sto. Niño.
The IPHO's epidemiology and surveillance unit said majority of the victims, mostly children, were bitten by unvaccinated pet animals.
Dogs were the most common carrier of the rabies virus, with 10 found positive in Lake Sebu; one each in Banga, Sto. Nino and Polomolok; and, three each in Norala and Koronadal City. (AC/PNA)
