Love animals freely by staying protected from rabies
Love animals freely by staying protected from rabies
Learn how vaccination aids in the prevention of fatalities from rabies
Pet ownership has boomed significantly since the start of the pandemic – in fact, the Philippines is reported to have the highest surge in rate when it comes to pet ownership among Southeast Asian countries. Filipinos’ pet of choice? Dogs, as reflected by a 460% increase in the animal’s searches in the Philippines compared to cats.[1]
But alongside this increased incidence in owning pet dogs comes an unfortunate rise in rabies cases. The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 284 rabies cases from January to October 2022 – all of which ended fatally. This number is exponentially higher than the 70 cases recorded in 2021, and 86% of the total rabies cases were from dog bites. Only 8% were caused by cats.
Rabies is well-documented to have a 100% fatality rate. Half of the dog bite cases recorded in 2022 were from domesticated pets which were unvaccinated against rabies, and 204 of the deaths did not get treated through post-exposure prophylaxis.[2]
But what is rabies? Rabies is caused by a virus that enters the body through the bite of an infected animal, or if an infected animal licks an open wound, or a person’s mouth, nose or eyes. The incubation period of the virus takes two months on average, and it affects the central nervous system in mammals, causing disease in the brain and eventually death.[3]
This Rabies Awareness Month, it is essential for pet owners to prioritize the vaccination of their pets against rabies, as well as generate awareness on the importance of seeking immediate treatment should they or someone they know be bitten by an animal, whether stray or domesticated. In such cases, clean the wound immediately with soap and water, disinfect with an antiseptic such as alcohol, and cover up or bandage the bitten area tightly, then get medical attention at once.
It is highly recommended to use a primary chick embryo cell culture (PCEC) rabies vaccine that is safe, immunogenic and effective in the protection against rabies, meets the World Health Organization’s guidelines for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, has good safety profile and tolerability, and has a Double Stabilizer protecting it from extreme temperature exposure after 48 hours.
Despite the fact that rabies is one of the most dangerous and deadly disease that affect humans, it is very much preventable, thanks to the rabies vaccine. For any affected individuals, it is important to seek treatment immediately before any symptoms develop – this will allow the rabies vaccine to take full effect and save their lives.
[1] https://www.onenews.ph/articles/filipinos-interest-in-owning-pets-during-the-pandemic-surges-highest-in-southeast-asia
[2] https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/14/DOH-rabies-deaths-.html
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about.html