Quezon rabies toll falls to 5

LUCENA CITY—Five persons have died of rabies infection in five Quezon towns from January to August, according to the provincial information office (PIO).

Janet Buelo, head of the Quezon PIO, cited reports from the Integrated Provincial Health Office saying that the victims were from the towns of Sariaya, Pitogo, Lucban, Tiaong and Guinayangan.

The number of casualties, however, had declined sharply compared to last year’s 13 fatalities, according to the PIO.

Rabies is transmitted mainly by bites from infected animals but could also be contracted through contact with the virus through skin lesions or mucus membranes.

In a statement, Buelo attributed the decrease in the number of victims from the continuing information drive and vaccination campaign of the provincial government through its rabies prevention, control and eradication committee that had been created by Gov. David Suarez.

Buelo called on all pet owners to bring their pets to local veterinarian offices for free antirabies vaccines.

Quezon now has a total of 28 animal bite treatment centers, Buelo said.

Last year, the island towns of Alabat, Perez and Quezon were declared by the Department of Health as “rabies-free areas.”

These towns have had no rabies cases in the last two years.  Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon