Rabid dog attacks 7 people in Bacoor, Cavite

A dog infected with rabies attacked and bit seven residents in three separate barangays in Bacoor, Cavite.

According to a report by Saleema Refran in GMA's 24 Oras on Tuesday, among the victims were three senior citizens and two persons with disability.

"Sasakmalin ako dito sa leeg. Sinangga ko. Sinangga ko ng dalawang kamay kaya tumama dito yung kagat niya," said Rally Buiza, one of the victims.

He sustained wounds in both of his hands.

Another victim, 62-year-old Mercedita Hipolito, was bitten on the knee.

Barangay officials caught the rabid dog and killed it. They brought its head to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) where it was found out to have rabies.

The affected residents were already given four shots of anti-tetanus and anti-rabies vaccines.

It was not enough, though, to allay their fears of contracting rabies too.

"Sa ngayon wala pa ho akong nararamdaman. Wala pa pero natatakot pa rin ho ako kasi malakas ang rabies," said Buiza.

"Ninenerbyos po ako saka 'yung ganito ko parang kumikirot-kirot," Hipolito added.

Bacoor City's veterinary office will conduct a rabies vaccination on dogs within the three-kilometer radius of the sites where the dog attack happened.

It also reminded the public to immediately consult a doctor within 24 hours after being bitten by an animal.

"Nakakamatay siya ng tao, ng hayop. Basta ikaw ay nakapitan ng virus ng rabies. Kapag ang bite is nearer to the brain, mas mabilis siya," Bacoor City Veterenarian Dr. Ella Mae Gandia said.

She also advised residents not to behead rabid dogs and let the appropriate authorities do the task.

"Delikado kasi baka mamaya meron silang open wounds or anything. Matilamsikan sila ng dugo or nung laway ng aso, sila naman ang mahawa," Gandia said.

From January 1 to March 23, 2019, 55 rabies cases were reported to the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau.

For the whole year of 2018, there was a total of 301 reported rabies cases in the country. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News