DOG VACCINATION. A dog gets vaccinated against rabies in Laoag City in this undated photo. The province of Ilocos Norte declared a rabies outbreak on Monday (May 29, 2023), following five deaths affecting 53 barangays, mostly in the city of Batac and the town of Paoay. (Contributed)
LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte on Monday declared a rabies outbreak in the province, following five deaths in 53 barangays, mostly in the city of Batac and the town of Paoay.
“The outbreak declaration is meant to mobilize the whole community to take action as we aim to vaccinate the 66,000 dogs population in the province,” said Provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela in defending the passage of the draft Provincial Resolution 2023-05-155 during a session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or provincial board) on Monday.
To arrest the spread of rabies, Valenzuela said the province will be needing over PHP3 million for the aggressive vaccination of dogs in all barangays, including the testing and repair of a diagnostic laboratory in the province.
For now, Valenzuela said there is a shortage of funds for the vaccination program.
With this, both the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Provincial Health Office have teamed up to conduct a more aggressive campaign against dog bites in the province.
In a separate interview, Dr. Josephine Ruedas, provincial health officer, said there is also a need to procure vaccines for humans.
“This is alarming. Dog meat should not be consumed by people and bite victims should not result in conventional faith healing or the so-called traditional practice of 'tandok'," she added.
To date, the Department of Health has donated at least 3,000 vials of vaccines that were distributed to the different Animal Bite Treatment Centers accredited by PhilHealth in the province.
Village officials are likewise advised to monitor stray dogs in their areas and establish a dog impound for the safety of the community. (PNA)
