84 die of rabies in 2024

March 24, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Eighty-four people have died due to rabies infection this year, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to remind dog owners yesterday to secure their pets when outdoors.

The number was documented by the DOH from January to March this year, which is higher compared to 82 deaths during the same period in 2023, an increase of 2.43 percent.

Apart from rabies infection, Tayag said the other common diseases during the summer season are sunburn, sore eyes, cough, colds and gastrointestinal disease.

With the rise in rabies infections, Tayag said dog owners should practice responsible pet ownership such as putting them on a leash when outdoors.

He said owners should also have their dogs vaccinated against rabies.

Tayag said people with suspected rabies infection should immediately wash their wounds with soap and water. They should then proceed to animal bite centers to get vaccines.

Tayag said a patient infected with the rabies virus needs four to five doses to cure the infection.

He warned the not getting vaccinated would result in a patient’s death after months as the virus attacks the brain.

“The virus spreads one inch per day,” he said.