3,500 Dogs receive Anti-Rabies Vaccines

3,500 Dogs receive Anti-Rabies Vaccines

LINGAYEN --- The provincial government thru the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office has intensified its Anti-Rabies Campaign to keep with the National Rabies Control Program which calls for a Rabies- Free Philippines in year 2020.

Dr. Benedicto Perez said that as part of the program, some 3,500 dogs in Mangatarem have already received anti-rabies vaccines.

He said the program which started on July 13 seeks to give vaccination to at least 80 % of the total dog population or an average of one dog every household.

In line with this, the PVO has initially identified nine municipalities found to have positive cases of rabies- afflicted dogs based on reports submitted to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

These municipalities are Mangatarem, Bayambang, Bautista, Alcala, Rosales, Balungao, Umingan, Urbiztondo and Sto. Tomas.

To date, vaccination in Mangatarem has been completed and another vaccination activity has been set on July 20 in Urbiztondo.

Perez said the activity is a concerted effort of the provincial government thru the PVO, Department of Agriculture and the local government units.

Vaccination centers will be established in municipalities where there is a scheduled vaccination.

Meanwhile Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr has instructed the provincial health office to coordinate with the agencies aforementioned to further intensify the program.

New Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ana de Guzman said the PHO will provide data that will help the PVO identify more areas with dogs positive of rabies.

The vaccines administered to the dogs came from the national government with a counterpart from the province. (PIO/Angie Villanueva)