by Vic Larato
ZAMBOANGA CITY, 24 Feb. (PIA 9) - - The city government of Zamboanga through the City Veterinarian’s Office is now preparing for the Rabies Awareness Month celebration in March, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9482 aimed at building public awareness on the prevention and control of rabies through education and vaccination.
City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Ariola said the month-long celebration will kick off with a motorcade on March 2 at 8 a.m. from Pettit Barracks to the Baliwasan Central School where a short program will be held.
Other activities include exhibition, series of symposia and film showing-- all about the danger, control and prevention of rabies, a deadly disease of animals caused by a virus which is transmissible to human beings through the bites of infected animals, through contact of the saliva with an opening or wound in the skin, causing acute inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord. It can also be transmitted through aerosol transmission, faulty vaccines, and tissue and organ transplants.
Dr. Ariola said the city government under Mayor Celso Lobregat’ administration remains committed to its advocacy on animal welfare as a total of 9,628 dogs and cats were vaccinated in 2011, even as he lamented that one person has died of rabies last year.
He said that within the month surgical spay and neuter operations will also be conducted to prevent female and male dogs from reproduction. The surgical operations will be held at the City Pound in San Roque. (JPA/ VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)