DOH records 157 rabies cases from Jan. 1 to June 25

MANILA, Philippines — A  total of 157 cases of rabies were reported from January to June 27, all of which resulted in deaths, said the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.

“Rabies has a 100% fatality rate, which is why joint actions among the DOH, Department of Agriculture, local governments, and local veterinarians are important to prevent the spread of the virus among animals like dogs and cats who can then infect humans through bites and scratches,” said DOH in a message to reporters.

Meanwhile, the recorded cases are five percent lower than the number of cases logged during the same period in 2021, according to DOH.

DOH said most rabies cases were reported in the following region:

• Central Luzon: 25 (16 percent)
• Calabarzon: 21 (13 percent)
• Western Visayas: 17 (11 percent)
• Zamboanga Peninsula: 16 (10 percent)

DOH said the majority of the cases, 119 of 157, were also not vaccinated with rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) or the rabies vaccine.

According to DOH, Category III is the highest exposure history among reported rabies cases, comprising 112 cases. It is defined as “single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, licks on broken skin, contamination of mucous membrane with saliva, and suspect contacts with bats. “

Dogs were the most reported cause of rabies, as 131 cases were determined to have been caught from a dog bite.

Less than half or 77 of these dogs were domesticated, of which 53 were unvaccinated for rabies.

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