ILOILO CITY -- Eight individuals were bitten by rabid dogs in the village of Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo, Mayor Christian Sorongon confirmed on Friday.
All the victims in these different biting incidents are now all in good condition and have received anti-rabies vaccines.
Sorongon said that based on the information from the locals, one rabid dog was first sighted at the said village last June 9 while fighting with approximately less than 10 stray dogs.
Four locals were then bitten by the rabid dog in the same village. The victims sought financial assistance from the mayor’s office last June 11 for treatment.
The said dog was confirmed as rabid based on the investigation of the municipal agriculture’s office, the mayor said.
But the said rabid dog was already killed and buried by locals so it would not further harm others.
Sorongon said that the owner of the dog was not identified and they cannot also assure if it was from their town or from neighboring towns since most of the dogs in their town were vaccinated with anti-rabies.
Last June 13, another batch of four individuals again sought help from his office because they were also bitten by another rabid dog.
Sorongon said they assumed that the dog who bit the next batch of four victims is among the 10 stray dogs that the first rabid dog fought with on June 9.
However, Sorongon assured these dogs were already caught and now being monitored.
Each of the eight victims were given PHP1,000 financial assistance for their vaccination.
Sorongon said that he also helped them in referring these victims to the Western Visayas Medical Center for their follow-up anti-rabies vaccination.
Meantime, Sorongon reminded the people in New Lucena to assure that their dogs are vaccinated with anti-rabies.
“Let us not wait for the vaccinator to come if we have new pet (dog), let us vaccinate them immediately,” he said. (PNA)
