STRAY DOGS. Screenshot of a video posted on social media shows personnel of the Cebu City government collecting stray dogs in the city streets. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries head Alice Utlang, in a briefing on Tuesday (June 2, 2024), said the city recorded a jump in rabies cases in the first half of 2024 at 13 from seven cases in the whole of 2023. (Screenshot from Fabian Aves)
CEBU CITY – Local authorities are strengthening anti-rabies awareness campaign and other pro-active measures to address the rising cases as of the first half of 2024.
During the Open Line Forum here Tuesday, Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), said they recorded 13 rabies cases as of end-June this year, up from the seven reported in 2023.
“Wala na-hit ang 80 percent population sa kaso na dapat bakunahan (We failed to reach the 80 percent population of dogs that are supposed to get vaccination)” she said.
Utlang said the vaccination rate is required for effective control of rabies, a preventable viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
She said the low coverage emphasizes the urgent necessity for pet owners to fulfill their responsibility in preventing the further spread of rabies by having their pets vaccinated.
She added impounding stray dogs is not enough, citing the need for strict enforcement of regulations and penalizing erring pet owners.
Under a city ordinance, an owner of any pet found without proper vaccination will face fines amounting to PHP5,000.
She added that if an unvaccinated pet is involved in a biting incident, the fine will be similarly enforced. (PNA)
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