No. of :

No. of Shares:

Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit

Biliran hopeful to regain distinction as rabies-free zone

NAVAL, Biliran –  The province of Biliran is hopeful to regain status as rabies-free zone this year based on the report on zero canine rabies case from January to August.

In a meeting held recently, Biliran Provincial Rabies Coordinator Kristinna Marie Escosis, as well as the members of the Biliran Provincial Rabies Prevention and Control Committee (PRPCC), expressed this optimism based on the latest consolidated reports on incidence of rabies cases.

The Department of Health (DOH) declared the province of Biliran as rabies-free zone in 2012 until 2016 but was stripped of its title when two rabies cases were reported each year from 2016 to 2018. 

One rabies case was reported in 2019, 10 rabies cases in 2020, six rabies cases in 2021, and one rabies case in 2022 or a total of 24 rabies cases for the past seven consecutive years. 

These rabies cases were noted in the municipalities of Almeria – 1, Kawayan – 2, Cabucgayan – 3,  Biliran – 4,  Naval – 5, and Caibiran – 9, none for the municipalities of Culaba and Maripipi.

Moreover, animal bites in 2016  reached 914; 1,212 in 2017;  1,302 in 2018; 1,166 in 2019; 1,327 in 2020; 1,336 in 2021; 1,703 in 2022;  and 1,057 from January to June this year. 

Escosis also informed the council members of the nine human rabies deaths in Eastern Visayas from January to August 2023 which were reported from Balangiga and MacArthur, Eastern Samar; Lavezares and Palapag of Northern Samar; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Capoocan, Mahaplag, and Mayorga in Leyte; and  Maasin City in Southern Leyte.

Escosis stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership and the continuous strict implementation of border control. (MMP/MLT/PIA Biliran)

About the Author

Rodrigo Victoria

Writer

Region 8

Feedback / Comment

Get in touch