Free vaccines given in De Oro as dogs get sick, too

CAGAYAN DE ORO—The city veterinarian’s office has launched a massive animal vaccination campaign as 15 dogs fell ill to leptospirosis in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 disaster.

Nine of the infected dogs had died since, said Dr. Lucian Anthony Acac, city veterinarian.

The city health office had launched a similar campaign for people when nearly 200 people fell ill because of leptospirosis, which is believed to be waterborne from the urine and wastes of rats and other animals.

Dogs sick of leptospirosis could also transmit the disease to humans, said Acac.

“If humans with cuts or wounds get in contact with the urine of infected dogs, the leptospira bacteria will be transmitted,” said Dr. Anne Concepcion, another veterinarian.

She said dogs can be carriers of the disease months after they had been treated so prevention is still the best move. Cai Panlilio, Inquirer Mindanao