Rabies outbreak declared in 5 Negros Occidental areas

Rabies outbreaks have been declared in five areas in Negros Occidental after dogs there tested positive for the rabies virus – and after at least one person died from it.

At least eight other cases had been reported in the province since January, according to a report on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation" on Tuesday night.

The fatality was from Cadiz City, while four cases were reported in Bacolod City, two in Binalbagan town, and one each in Pulupandan town and San Carlos City.

"It's a public health importance," provincial veterinarian Decena told GMA Bacolod, adding a single confirmed case, either human or canine, will be considered an outbreak.

But Decena said his office may not have enough resources to vaccinate all 219,000 dogs in the province. Only 24,000 have been vaccinated in the province, he said.

In an interview with Visayan Daily Star, Decena encouraged "intensified dog vaccinations and capture of stray dogs in the towns and cities," and reminded the public "to be responsible by providing adequate food and shelter to their pets.”

He also urged dog owners to have their pets registered and even castrated, noting rabies cases usually increase during the dry season.

The Visayan Daily Star noted a woman from Cadiz City died last March, after she was bitten by the dog of their neighbor in January.

It said that was the first recorded rabies fatality in Negros Occidental.

Report: 1 killed by rabies, kin monitored in La Union

A 17-year-old boy was killed after being bitten by a rabies-infected dog in La Union province, a radio report said late Tuesday.

Bombo Radyo reported the boy, initially identified as Gian Carlo Acantellado of Barangay Pandan in Bacnotan town, died after being treated by a quack doctor.

The report said the boy was bitten last February but showed symptoms of the disease only recently, while the infected puppy died three days after biting him.

It quoted the boy's mother as saying doctors found out too late that rabies had spread to the boy's brain.

Barangay health worker Maricris Quinque said they are observing a 45-year-old man who was also bitten by the puppy, and who may be showing symptoms of rabies.

Health workers are likewise observing four relatives of the fatality and have administered anti-rabies vaccines to them.

The La Union provincial veterinary office is also verifying a report that 30 residents of Bagulin, La Union had eaten a dog that tested positive for rabies earlier this month. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News