INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Cases of rabies, a vaccine-preventable viral disease, dipped by 8 percent nationwide this year, according to the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH said on Thursday rabies infections slightly decreased to a total of 259 from Jan. 1 to Sept. 2 this year compared to the same period last year. It noted, however, that the case trends showed a “continuous increase” in the last six weeks, with 29 new cases reported in the past month alone. The health department advised individuals bitten by a rabid animal to immediately go to animal bite centers located in local and national government health facilities, where postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available. “Proper wound management is important when dealing with animal bites. Likewise, immunization is critical to prevent rabies infection,” the DOH stressed. “There are two types of immunization given to animal bites, depending on the severity and site of animal bite,” it added. A person exposed to rabies may experience nonspecific manifestations, such as fever, sore throat, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, generalized body malaise, headache and abdominal pain, the DOH said. “After which, manifestations such as hyperactivity, hypersalivation, disorientation and hallucination, bizarre behavior, seizures, nuchal rigidity or paralysis appear during this stage,” it noted. Based on the historical data of the DOH from 2012 to 2023, 91 percent of individuals who were exposed to rabies did not avail of PEP. The government aims to eradicate rabies in the country by 2030. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA