The City Health Office (CHO) in Dagupan City has run out of rabies vaccines as the number of animal bite patients went up in the past months. 

“Sa ngayon, nag-out of stock kami dahil hindi namin ini-expect na ganun kadami ang pasyente. Usually, nag-a-average kami 200 to 250… last two weeks ng April, nag-a-average kami ng 400,” Dr. Ophelia Rivera, Dagupan City Health Officer, said.

From January 2024 to May 2024, the city recorded 4,523 animal bite cases, which is higher than the 4,037 cases recorded in the same period in 2023.

The increase is attributed to the intense heat, which has made animals more aggressive.

Marilyn Aquino, a patient, said her cat bit her so she went to the hospital immediately to get anti-rabies shots.

“Andito [ako] kasi kinagat ako ng pusa kahapon, pero kinakas ko na siya ng sabon… mahirap na diba, kaya nagpa-inject sila ng anti-rabies,” Aquino said.

CHO has already procured more vaccines so it can continue serving patients, even those from neighboring local government units. 

Rivera reminded the public to be careful when handling their pets, especially when feeding them by hand. 

“Mag-ingat tayo as pet owners sa pag-handle ng aso at pusa natin, at pati ang pagpapakain. Pinapakain sila gamit ang kamay so ang tendency, yung iba, nakakagat sila habang nagpapakain yung ganoon,” she said.