PVO targets Biri to be rabies-free by 2022

Biri, Northern Samar—The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), together with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), conducted mass anti-rabies vaccination activities in several barangays of Biri last March 3-5, 2021, with a long-term goal of making this town rabies-free by 2022.

As a highlight of the 2021 observance of the Rabies Awareness Month, the free mass vaccination of cats and dogs was conducted in Barangays Poblacion, MacArthur, Kauswagan(Basud), Pio Del Pilar, Progress, San Antonio, San Pedro and Santo Niño. Eighty percent of the registered dog and cat population in the said barangays were vaccinated against rabies by the end of the activity, which showcased the value of collaborative efforts and emphasized dog vaccination as one of the key strategies for eliminating rabies.

According to Ms. Sheila V. Acero, Provincial Rabies Program Coordinator, the PVO is aiming to include Biri among the island municipalities declared rabies-free.

“Target naming ma-cover lahat ng barangay sa vaccination para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng rabies. Patuloy na hinihikayat din namin ang mga tao na huwag hayaang gumala ang mga alagang aso. Target din naming magkapon ng maraming lalaking aso para ma-control ang pagdami ng kanilang populasyon,” Ms. Acero said.

Moreover, Acero emphasized that before Northern Samar can be declared as a rabies-free province, all municipalities must first be certified rabies-free. “Priority muna namin ngayon ang island municipalities, Biri and San Vicente. Last 2018, naka declare tayo ng 2 municipalities, Capul and San Antonio, as Rabies free municipalities. After the island towns, next municipalities na target ay ang GAMALA (Gamay, Mapanas and Lapinig).”

Present in the said activity were the Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Jose Luis Acompañado Municipal Agriclture Office (MAO) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Pederito Bersabe Guianan and their respective veterinarians and staff.

Anchored on this year’s theme “Maging Responsableng Amo, Huwag Hayaang Gumala ang Alagang Pusa’t Aso” (“Be a responsible pet owner, don’t let your cats and dogs roam free”), the Rabies Awareness Month highlights the importance of vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies. The event is celebrated every month of March per Executive Order No. 84, series of 1999 “Declaring March as the Rabies Awareness Month Rationalizing the Control Measures for the Prevention and Eradication of Rabies and Appropriating Funds Thereof”.

The rabies virus is commonly found in the saliva of warm-blooded animals. A nick or scratch exposed to the saliva of an infected animal can be fatal. As a commitment to the Nortehanons, Dr. Acompañado gave his assurance that his office will be more persistent in conducting information drives to educate the people on the importance of having their dogs and other pets vaccinated against rabies, as it remains a proven and effective way to control the disease.

BGO/MAA/NSPIO