One-year-old boy dies of suspected rabies

BACOLOD CITY — A 1-year-old boy from Moises Padilla town who was bitten in the face by a family pet dog died on Monday, Jan. 22.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said the boy was bitten by the dog at Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla on Jan. 13, and died at the Don Salvador Benedicto District Hospital in La Carlota City nine days later.

There were six suspected human deaths from rabies in Negros Occidental in 2023 and 10 in 2022, Pinongan said.

READ:DOH reports increase in human rabies cases

She stressed the need to seek early treatment, especially for injuries on the face and head.

Pinongan also called veterinarians of local governments to ensure that responsible pet ownership is practiced in their localities.