Bulacan all geared up for Rabies Awareness Month

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan with the assistance of Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) is conducting a province-wide program against rabies starting this March until April of this year.

Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the PGB through the Provincial Veterinary Office is currently conducting a weekly mass vaccination and veterinary medical missions in each municipality wherein there will be free castrations, free consultations, free deworming and free treatments not only for dogs but for other domestic pets as well.

The mass vaccination for animals started in the City of San Jose Del Monte last March 1 and in Plaridel from March 8-10, March 11 in Calumpit, March 14 in Balagtas and March 15-18 in Hagonoy.

Schedules of vaccination will resume after Holy Week, from April 5-8 in Pandi, April 12-15, in Guiguinto, April 19-22 in Baliwag and from April 26-29 in Santa Maria.

“Last year, we garnered the most number of vaccinated dogs here in Region III which is 216,474. That is more than 70% of the total dog population which is the regular target of every province or municipality,” Dr. Voltaire Basinang, head of the PVO said.

Basinang added that the province have dog pounds in the City of San Jose del Monte, Guiguinto, Santa Maria, and Cities of Meycauayan and Malolos that are actively searching for rabies cases.

“Among all the provinces in the Philippines, we at Bulacan are the only ones who are actively searching for rabies cases. It is our province; therefore it is our responsibility to eradicate these cases. No excuses. I am not making any promises but I think we are on the right track.” Basinang said.

On the other hand, he clarified that despite having high number of animal bites on record; Bulacan has lower cases of human transmitted rabies and is decreasing continuously.

Rose May Fernando, rabies coordinator of the Provincial Public Health Office said that there were 14 mortality rates in 2012, 13 deaths in 2013, 11 in 2014 and five mortality cases in 2015.

Last year, the province has given complete anti-rabies dose to 19,676 Bulakenyos.

Basinang also reminds every Bulakenyo pet owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies annually and be responsible pet owners.