City’s rabies cases dropped in 2023
The City of Koronadal’s rabies cases dropped in 2023 to six (6) from seven (7) cases in 2022.
City Veterinarian Dr. Charlemagne S. Calo, believes this was the result of an intensive information drive over the previous years, using various platforms. He stated that social media, radio, and face-to-face campaigns are effective mechanisms for strengthening and reinforcing the initiatives. Calo went on to say that such activities, in addition to castration, ligation, and house-to-house rabies vaccination, were carried out on a regular basis, as well as information education campaign (IEC) on responsible pet ownership in both public and private schools with elementary students as the target audience.
Despite the decline in rabies cases, the veterinarian still cautioned everyone not to become complacent since the City of Koronadal’s location is considered endemic which means that a disease or outbreak of disease is typically present in a particular region or population, thus, zero rabies case is unlikely to achieve and the chances are extremely slim.
However, Calo assumed that the goal would be attained gradually in the future if vaccination will be done simultaneously throughout the province just like Marinduque did. “Our location is endemic, imposible talaga natin ma-achieve ang zero case ng rabies maliban nalang kung i-apply natin yong Marinduque experience,” City Veterinarian Dr. Calo cited.
Meanwhile, the barangays with cases of rabies were Sto. Niño-(3), Sta. Cruz-(1), Namnama-(1), and Magsaysay-(1) that caused five (5) human deaths.
On top of the pet population control and soon dog microchipping and establishment of a pounding facility which is currently in its second phase of construction, Calo explained that the elimination nor reduction of rabies cases should not solely rely on the vaccine, hence, dogs must also be leashed or caged and being a responsible dog owner is the most important role that must be played by every pet possessors. He stresses repeatedly that it should be a collaborative effort of the community to realize a rabies-free environment shortly.
The City Veterinary Office (CityVet), on the other hand, is preparing for the conduct of their house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination this coming month of March following the rabies month celebration which will be commended at Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos (GPS). The execution of dog microchipping will also begin at Prk. Santos and Villegas, Brgy. Zone III, and hopefully will continue throughout the said locality until supply lasts.