by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, March 3 (PIA) – Some 180 dogs have been vaccinated against rabies at the opening of the rabies awareness month last Thursday.
A report from the City Information Office (CIO) here said the city government through the Office of the City Veterinarian headed by Dr. Russel Ganub had conducted a free anti-rabies vaccination at the Plaza Magsaysay last March 1 to mark the start of the observance of rabies awareness month.
Ganub disclosed that the anti-rabies vaccination would be conducted in the different barangays of the city the whole month of March.
He also said any pet owner can bring his dog/s to his office during weekdays for free rabies shots.
Rabies is a deadly disease of animals caused by a virus which is transmissible to humans 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.
The disease is deadly to both animals and human beings. The first signs and symptoms of the virus include flu-like fever, headache, fatigue, feeling thirsty and terrified at the sight of water. In the advanced stage, the infected animal or human being can feel tingling or numbness at the bite, anxiety, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior, hallucination, insomnia and neurological deficits, indicating that the nerves and the brains are already being affected.
Rabid wild animals would display little fear of humans, and if these are nocturnal animals, they become active during daylight.
Sudden mood change, drooling and/or going into hiding are common signs among domesticated animals infected with rabies.
March has been declared Rabies Awareness Month pursuant to Republic Act No. 9482, which was signed on May 25, 2007 aimed at building public awareness on the prevention and control of rabies through education and vaccination.
This year’s theme is “working Together for a Rabies-Free Philippines: Register and Vaccinate your Pet.” (FPG/PIA-Zambonga del Norte)
