CEBU CITY — Local health officials are ramping up their anti-rabies initiatives following a noticeable increase in rabies cases reported in Cebu City for the first half of 2024. The surge in cases has triggered concerns and a call to action to enhance awareness and vaccination efforts across the community.
According to Philippines news Agency, head of the Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), there were 13 recorded cases of rabies as of the end of June 2024, nearly doubling the number from the previous year. During a public forum held on Tuesday, Utlang highlighted a significant shortfall in local vaccination efforts, noting that the city failed to vaccinate 80 percent of the dog population, a target considered necessary for effective rabies control. "The low coverage underscores the urgent need for pet owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated," she stated, emphasizing that this is a critical step in preventing the spread of this potentially fatal disease.
In response to the rising threat, the DVMF is advocating for stricter enforcement of local ordinances, including imposing fines of PHP5,000 on owners of unvaccinated pets, especially if their pets are involved in biting incidents. Utlang also pointed out that merely impounding stray dogs is insufficient without concurrent robust enforcement of vaccination regulations and penalties for non-compliance.
This initiative reflects a broader effort by Cebu City's health authorities to mitigate the risks posed by rabies, focusing on comprehensive community engagement and adherence to preventive measures to combat the disease effectively.