As the rabies prevention efforts of the Iloilo City government continue, over 700 cats and dogs were vaccinated in the City Proper district alone during the first week of March.
From March 5 to 7, the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) extended services to six barangays: General Hughes (90 pets vaccinated), Monica-Blumentritt (78), Zamora-Melliza (98), Sto. Rosario-Duran (81), Concepcion (181), and Veteran’s Village (225).
“[Rabies] is a major public health concern. With the guidance of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, we engage the public with our comprehensive rabies program, which includes rabies vaccination, a spaying and neutering program, and information and education campaigns targeting pet owners and school children,” Dr. Fernando Abulencia, OCV head, said.
These community visits are in line with the city’s commitment to managing, if not preventing, rabies cases in the metropolis, promoting a healthier environment for both animals and humans alike. The program also observes Rabies Awareness Month, themed, “Rabies-free na pusa’t aso, kaligtasan ng pamilyang Pilipino.”
The Department of Agriculture Western Visayas, through veterinarian Dr. Pacifico Lumauag III, provided additional animal rabies vaccines and supplies.
“Ang iban (pet owners) naga rason lang nga wala sila kabalo. But as a responsible pet owner, dapat accountable ka,” Dr. Abulencia emphasized.
Walk-in clients may avail of the free rabies vaccination at the OCV, located inside the Motorpool Compound, Delgado Street, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The annual vaccination is administered to pets at least three months old. The OCV also intensifies its monitoring and surveillance when suspected cases of rabies are reported.
“Ang rabies kasi hindi sya seasonal; it can be attibuted to vaccination failure since the positive cases are unvaccinated pets. So pag may rabies suspect na, gina-secure na daan naton kag gina-inform sila kung ano ang mga dapat ubrahon,” the city veterinarian added. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)
