DOH tells Filipinos: Be responsible, vaccinate your pets vs. rabies

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday encouraged the pet owners in the country to have their pets vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies.

"Prevention is key in eliminating the Rabies disease. Ninety-nine percent of all rabies transmissions to humans are from dogs. Be a responsible pet owner and vaccinate your pets. This is the most cost-effective strategy to prevent rabies," Duque said in a statement.

The reminder came in light of the celebration of Rabies Awareness Month.

According to the DOH, rabies is considered a public health problem in the country as around 200 Filipinos die each year because of the fatal infection which is actually vaccine preventable.

The rabies virus targets the human nervous system and there is no known cure to reverse its effects up to this day.

The DOH said it has partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior Local Government, local government units, and the private sector to strengthen the campaign on responsible pet ownership and availability of vaccines in Animal Bite Treatment Centers.

Under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, each pet owner is mandated to practice responsible pet ownership and vaccinate their pets against rabies. Penalties for violation include paying fines and shouldering the medical expenses of the individuals bitten by their pets.

Duque said that more provinces in the Visayas have been declared rabies-free because of the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders.

"Let us continue this positive trend and work together towards completely eradicating this deadly disease. It is my hope to declare Philippines a rabies-free country by 2030," he added. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News