THE Department of Health (DOH) has attributed the increase in rabies-related deaths to the large number of stray dogs in the country, urging both pet owners and local governments to prioritize vaccination efforts.
In a Wednesday interview, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted the significant problem posed by the estimated 13 million stray dogs nationwide.
“The increase in rabies deaths is because there are many stray dogs,” Secretary Herbosa stated. He emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns to discourage interaction with stray animals, advising citizens to avoid contact with both stray dogs and cats.
Secretary Herbosa clarified the responsibilities outlined in the Anti-Rabies Act. He explained that the vaccination of stray dogs and cats falls under the purview of local government units (LGUs) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Meanwhile, pet owners bear the responsibility for the vaccination and welfare of their own animals.
“Every March, we campaign that pet owners vaccinate their dogs every year,” Secretary Herbosa said, underscoring the annual vaccination recommendation for pet dogs.
He also addressed concerns about a potential decrease in anti-rabies vaccinations for humans, clarifying that no such decline exists. However, he pointed out a logistical challenge: LGUs are not consistently purchasing vaccines, leading to a backlog of patients seeking treatment at facilities like San Lazaro Hospital.
“The LGUs have to buy [the vaccines], so they end up going to the DOH, to San Lazaro,” Secretary Herbosa explained. “I have 4,000 patients waiting here, and when you ask them where they came from, [they’re] from faraway LGUs.”
This highlights the need for improved coordination and resource allocation to ensure readily available anti-rabies vaccines throughout the country.
