ILOILO CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA-6) -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6 appealed to the public to uphold "responsible pet ownership" to help eliminate rabies cases in the region.

Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, DOH-CHD 6 rabies prevention and control program medical coordinator, said that one of the most effective strategies in eliminating rabies is through vaccination of pets.

"Through vaccination, we can eliminate this problem. So we encourage everyone to be responsible pet owners," she said.

She said that the regional office is strengthening efforts to combat rabies despite the national government having only allotted a small amount of funding for the anti-rabies program.

She also urged the local government units to implement anti-rabies ordinance and allocated budget for the procurement of vaccines.

Meanwhile, as per DOH-6 data, 20 rabies death cases in Western Visayas were reported to the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR) from January 1 to August 23, 2019. Of the figure, two were laboratory-confirmed rabies cases.

According to the 2019 semi-annual report covering January to June, a total of 47,257 animal bite cases were recorded. Majority of these cases were dog bites.

On one hand, DOH-CHD 6 is slated to commemorate the World Rabies Day on September 28 this year.

The World Rabies Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this disease.

DOH-CHD 6 will partner with the Iloilo City Government to spearhead the activities for the commemoration. (JBG/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)