MALUNGON, Sarangani -- Sarangani has reached over 60% rabies vaccination coverage on dogs for two straight years.

Federico Yadao, Medical Technologist II and Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Disease Surveillance Officer, cited this as a good indication towards the province’s rabies elimination plan consistent with the Department of Health’s (DOH) target to free Philippines from rabies by 2030 and the 80% vaccination coverage indicator that the World Health Organization had set to successfully achieve rabies global control.

From the 46,138 dog population in Sarangani in 2020, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) vaccinated 28,421 or 61.60% in 2021. While, 62.18% or 27,917 were vaccinated in 2022 out of the 44,895 reported population in 2021.

As of March, 1,950 dogs were already vaccinated based on the 32,256 dog population in 2022.

There were also 1,249 cats vaccinated in 2022 which composed 6.25% of the 19,976 population recorded in 2021. As of March, 55 cats were administered with anti-rabies vaccines based on the 3,856 population in 2022.

In the Philippines, Dr. Bernard Cababat, Sarangani’s officer-in-charge Provincial Veterinarian, said dogs are responsible for 98% of cases of rabies virus transmitted to humans, while the remaining two percent were caused by bites of cats and other animals.

Dr. Cababat said they are stepping up efforts to eliminate the disease by urging Sarangans to vaccinate their dogs and cats especially that “rabies is 100% fatal but 100% preventable.”

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease affecting the central nervous system. 

Yadao said, “we really do not want to have fatality dahil doon as preventable disease” and cited their collaboration with the Department of Education Sarangani Division. “With DepEd, mas more tayo sa control. Mas more tayo sa preventive na mga activities, rather than curative.”

From 2019 to 2021, the Provincial Health Office reported a total of 4,583 animal bite patients administered with post exposure prophylaxis and 17 deaths distributed as eight in 2019, one in 2020, and eight in 2021.

Although Yadao said this is not “alarming” since post exposure prophylaxis are available, but he encouraged everyone to “limit exposure by being responsible pet owners. Kung ano lang ang kayang alagaan, ‘yun lang ang alagaan.”

The massive vaccination drive is in line with the celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month, but Dr. Cababat pointed out they are doing vaccination all year round in partnership with the offices of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG), where the program is lodged.

Rabies Awareness Month, this year, is anchored on the theme "Rabies-free na pusa't aso, kaligtasan ng pamilyang Pilipino."

As part of the campaign, the PVET and OMAG in Malungon held an information drive dubbed as Pet Talks at Malalag Cogon National High School on March 28.

Dr. Cababat emphasized the importance of making students agents of the right information about rabies. He said they have considerable leverage to spread the information “being active on social media.”

If anyone is bitten by suspected rabid animals, Dr. Cababat advises to directly go to the nearest Municipal Health Office or hospital for assessment and proper medical care. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)