Health exec airs warning vs rabies

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag

MANILA, Philippines—Health officials on Wednesday urged pet owners to have their pets vaccinated for rabies.

This followed reports that there were at least 1,000 people who went to San Lazaro Hospital for treatment of dog bites in a span of three days from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said out of the 300 cases a day, 120 were for vaccination follow-up. He said the hospital’s outpatient department was closed on Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 so the patients were seen by the doctors on Jan. 2.