Rabies awareness drive encourages animal bite victims to get vaccinated

By Rosalita Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte --- Residents in the Bicol region are now more aware of the need to seek medical help and receive the anti-rabies vaccine after being bitten or scratched by stray or pet animals.

Xavier Vallejo, the National Rabies Prevention Program regional manager for Bicol, revealed this when he presented the status of the anti-rabies campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) during a press conference in Daet.

Vallejo reported a significant increase in the number of animal bite cases receiving anti-rabies shots in the Bicol Region.

In 2023, there were 70,375 cases, which rose to 104,760 last year. Additionally, the first quarter of 2025 has already recorded 24,914 cases, he said.

“The increasing trend is a good sign that those who are bitten or scratched need to seek treatment or get vaccinated,” he said.

Vallejo also said that animal bite treatment centers are accessible in the provinces of Bicol.

There are 52 certified animal bite treatment centers in Bicol: 22 in Camarines Sur, seven each in Albay, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon, five in Masbate, and four in Catanduanes.

He stated that the government’s vision is to achieve a rabies-free Philippines by 2030 and to eliminate human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies by 2027.

Vallejo clarified that individuals bitten by a snake, which occurs very rarely, cannot be treated with vaccinations at animal bite centers. Instead, they can receive anti-venom at the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City.

Lalaine Villasis, the provincial DOH officer for Camarines Norte, emphasized that while rabies is fatal, it is also highly preventable.

She highlighted that promoting responsible pet ownership is a crucial measure in preventing rabies.

Additionally, Villasis mentioned that pets must be vaccinated, and if a person is bitten or scratched, they should complete the vaccination series.

Mary Rose Malasa from Barangay Motherlode, Jose Panganiban, took her 10-year-old son for the first time to the animal bite treatment center at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH) to receive an anti-rabies shot.

“My son was bitten by a stray dog last August 15, and I took him to a local folk healer because I believe in traditional remedies. The healer told me that an anti-rabies shot was not necessary,” she said.

Malasa decided to have her son vaccinated despite his initial hesitations, as she believed it was dangerous for him not to be protected—rabies could potentially reach his brain.

The day after her son was bitten, she learned that the stray dog responsible for the bite had died. This news confirmed her belief that her son needed the rabies vaccine.

Teolita Ibita, 55, from Barangay San Nicolas in Talisay, was scratched by her pet dog on August 17. This was her first time receiving an anti-rabies vaccine.

“I was scratched, but I thought it didn’t break the skin. However, when I took a bath, it stung, so I applied alcohol and washed it with soap,” she said.

Ibita explained that while she believes in folk remedies, she decided to get the rabies vaccine to be certain and avoid unnecessary worry.

The vaccination is free, and she noted that most of her neighbors receive their anti-rabies shots at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH).

Ramona Sabio, 48, from Barangay Magang in Daet, Camarines Norte, shared her experience: “The first time my pet cat scratched me several years ago, I immediately washed the wound with soap and water, and the next day, I got an anti-rabies shot at the CNPH.”

She mentioned that she has since received several booster shots for her protection whenever her cat scratches her.

As a nurse, Sabio does not believe in home remedies; she emphasizes that individuals should seek an anti-rabies shot immediately after any bite or scratch.

In Camarines Norte, Marino Abogado, a registered nurse from the Provincial Health Office, reported that there were 26,796 animal bite victims who received anti-rabies shots last year, with 14,555 cases already recorded in the second quarter of this year.

Abogado also noted that there were seven human rabies cases recorded last year, with one reported so far as of July 2025.

He highlighted the intensified promotion of responsible pet ownership and the effort to help communities achieve “rabies-free barangay” status.

Currently, there are 17 barangays that have not recorded any human rabies cases for two years and have implemented activities to eliminate rabies in their communities.

Abogado assured that the CNPH has an adequate supply of vaccines, which are provided for free to individuals bitten by pets or stray animals. (PIA Bicol/Camarines Norte)