This month of March, Agri-10 reiterates responsible pet ownership as a key to rabies eradication.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Spearheading the observance of Rabies Awareness Month, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA RFO-10) urges the public to exercise responsible pet ownership in line with its strengthened approach towards rabies eradication.

Observed annually in the month of March, Rabies Awareness Month underscores the cooperation of DA through its Regional Animal Diagnostic Disease Laboratory (RADDL) and local government units (LGUs) to reduce and eradicate the incidence of rabies in the region through rabies testing, mass vaccination, and spay and neuter services.

According to DA-10 rabies coordinator Oryza Kristy N. Bisahan-Baylo, DVM, this year’s theme: “Rabies-free na Pusa’t Aso, Kaligtasan ng Pamilyang Pilipino”, anchors the agency’s rabies eradication efforts on responsible pet ownership.

“Anti-rabies vaccination is not the only control measure we have for rabies. We also must take responsibility for the needs of our pets and consider their safety and welfare,” she said.

Dr. Baylo added that practicing responsible pet ownership is more vital than ever, especially as the trend of wanting to own dogs or cats continues to rise among Filipinos.

DA 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the agency is consistent with its bid against rabies through the RADDL’s Rabies Elimination and Eradication Program, by extending rabies examination free-of-charge and encouraging LGUs to submit samples to monitor the incidence in the five provinces of region 10, namely: Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.

In addition, the agency through RADDL continues its campaign through close coordination with its local counterparts in the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“When a sample tests positive, we inform the concerned LGU. The LGU will then conduct ring vaccination, dog impounding, and information and education campaigns to prevent the spread of the disease on the premise,” Dr. Baylo said.

Further, the agency also continues to intensify its information dissemination to the public.

“We complement the on-the-ground work done by our partners in the LGUs as the main implementers of the Rabies Elimination and Eradication Program,” Dr. Baylo said.

Rabies is among the most deadly animal diseases that kill more or less 200 Filipinos each year.

While it is 99.9 percent fatal, it is 100% preventable. According to Dr. Baylo, symptoms that manifest among bite victims are irreversible with no cure to which she reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership, which includes having pets annually vaccinated.# (GDAndres)