Unsa man jud ang epekto sa rabies? 

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Ninety-nine cases of human rabies cases are caused by dogs and children between the age of five and fourteen are frequent victims. 

Rabies can also infect mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife. It can also be spread via saliva usually through bites, scratches or a direct contact from the eyes, mouth or an open wound. Once symptoms appear, it is 100% fatal.This is also considered a neglected tropical disease affecting the marginalized population. Although we have vaccines that are effective for rabies, these are often inaccessible or unaffordable for those in need. 

What are the Symptoms? 

The incubation period is typically 2-3 months but may vary from one week to one year depending on the factors such as the location of the virus entry and viral load. Initial symptoms include fever, pain, and unusual or unexplained tingling on the wound site. If you ever get bitten by a cat or dog, please wash and disinfect the wound with soap and water and bandage the wound afterwards, then go directly to the hospital for an anti-rabies vaccine. 

Two Types of Rabies Cases 

• Furious rabies: hyperactivity, excitable behavior, hallucinations, lack of coordination, fear of water and aerophobia. Death occurs a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest. 
• Paralytic rabies: this form of rabies is longer and less dramatic. Twenty percent of the total number of human cases were caused by Paralytic rabies. Muscles gradually become paralysed, starting from the wound site. A coma slowly develops then death occurs eventually. 

How to Prevent Rabies?

• Vaccinating Dogs 

Vaccinating dogs, including puppies through mass dog vaccination programs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission at its source. 

• Awareness 

Public education for both children and adults on dog behaviour and bite prevention like what we should do when bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, responsible pet ownership are essential extensions of rabies vaccination programmes. 

• Vaccinating People  

Effective vaccines are available to immunize people both before and after potential exposures. 

Cebu Statistics 

In 2024, rabies cases surged by fifty percent in Cebu City. Half of 170,000 dogs are yet to be vaccinated. In the first half of 2024, DVMF already logged 13 cases, which almost doubled the seven cases that they recorded during 2023. 

According to the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, there are sanctions for pet owners with unvaccinated pets. Owners of unvaccinated dogs may be fined with P2,000. If a dog bites someone and dies, the owner may be fined with P5,000. This P5,000 fine is also imposed on owners whose pet dog tested positive for rabies. 

Governor Gwen Garcia signs Memorandum No. 13-2025, mandating the Cebu Provincial Health Office and all 16 Capitol-run Provincial and District Hospitals to provide Anti-Rabies vaccines from one to four shots for free on February 6, 2025. 

Philippines Statistics 

Rabies is also a significant health concern in our country, with cases increasing every year. Here are some key statistical findings: 

• The Philippines is ranked sixth globally for rabies cases.
• In 2023, there was a concerning increase in both cases and fatalities with fifty-five cases compared to fifty-one the previous year. 
• Most rabies cases in 2023 occurred in people aged 20 to 59.
• 72% of rabies cases in 2023 were in men. 
• In 2018, the Greater Manila Area and Region IV-B accounted for 23.61% and 1.3% of human rabies cases, respectively.