Browsing: rabies

The recent tragic death of a 13-year-old girl from rabies has highlighted the persistent public health challenge posed by this preventable tropical disease in the Philippines. Jamaica, a young girl from Manila, was bitten by a stray dog and, out of fear and misunderstanding, hid the incident from her parents.

Health officials are cautioning the public against kissing pets, even those that are vaccinated. Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo emphasised that animal saliva poses a significant risk for rabies transmission, comparable to bites and scratches. He highlighted the importance of seeking medical advice for potential post-exposure prophylaxis, as rabies symptoms can take up to a year to manifest. This advisory is part of a broader effort to mitigate the risk of rabies transmission through close contact with pets, which is often overlooked.

Health authorities have issued a cautionary note, acknowledging that these figures may fluctuate due to delayed consultations and reporting. It’s noteworthy that while most regions experienced a decline in dengue cases, Caraga and Soccsksargen regions witnessed an increase, reporting 846 and 645 cases, respectively, raising localised concerns.