Staff reporter
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte–The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO)
intensified the monitoring of stray dogs in this town to control rabies.
Dr. Loida Valenzuela, PVO
chief said one patient here diagnosed with rabies recently alerted them.
According to Ms. Valenzuela,
Ilocos Norte is eyeing a “rabies-free province” declaration; however, with this
recent case, the declaration will likely not come yet.
The Provincial Government of
Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Rabies Control Council (PRCC), in
partnership with the PVO and international organization Global Alliance for
Rabies Control (GARC), has eradicated rabies cases for the past three years.
Rabies is a viral disease
that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and warm-blooded animals,
with dogs being the most commonly involved. Early signs include fever and
tingling at the bite site, usually followed by violent excitability, a
fear of water, paralysis in some parts of the body, or loss of consciousness.
Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly fatal. They usually show one to
three months after the bite.
The PRCC record shows that
from nearly 20 canine rabies cases in 2011, cases of both human and canine
rabies have been at zero standstill since 2014.
As of this posting, the PVET
has tapped the Bantay Rabies sa Barangay Volunteers (BRBV) organized since 2015
to monitor such cases.
Ms. Valenzuela reiterated to
residents to care for their pets properly and ensure that they are free from
stressful situations such as exposure to hot daytime temperatures or
confinement to a leash or cage all day.
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