The first confirmed case of rabies in a sheep has been recorded in General Santos City.

The first sheep that contracted the virus was reportedly bitten by a stray dog and died on November 26, 2025.

Later, other sheep at a farm in Barangay Tambler, which were believed to have contracted the virus from the first sheep, exhibited symptoms and aggressive behavior on November 28. They died the next day.

As of this writing, at least 30 sheep have been culled.

“Naghatag ang RADDL (Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory 12) positive nga result sa first time nga dili sa iro sa karnero nga ulo,” Office of the City Veterinary Head, Dr. Edward Alexander Leyson, said.

The City Vet said that the first transmission may have come from a rabid stray dog.

“Ang suspect nako ana naay stray dog, usually diya man gud na gikan sa ilaha. Siguro, napaakan then after siguro 14 days naa nay sign kay observation na for 14 days. Diya na mag-incubate,” Leyson added.

Following confirmation, the City Vet collected additional blood samples from other sheep on the farm that showed symptoms of rabies infection for laboratory examination before they were culled.

City Vet also administered anti-rabies vaccination to the remaining livestock on the farm.

Based on data from the City Vet, at least 25 cases of animal rabies in dogs and one case of rabies involving the sheep were recorded, as of December 4, 2025.

In 2024, a total of 43 rabies cases in dogs were logged in the city.

Because of the incident, City Vet intensified its anti-rabies campaign.

“Daily mi naga-impound, siguro naa na na sa mga owner, be responsible, kung unsa ang mahitabo sa mga nakapaak sila ang mag-shoulder naa na sa atuang RA 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007),” Leyson said.