Continuing efforts to achieve a rabies-free province

The Provincial Rabies Control Committee (PRCC) Executive Members and Technical Working Group recently convened for a meeting on December 13, 2024, with Provincial Health Office-Chief Technical Officer Dr. John Ezekiel Valera as presiding officer, to discuss on-going efforts against rabies in the province.

Provincial Health Office-Provincial Rabies Coordinator, Ms. Jessica Tepace presented data on animal bite this year, with 16,288 individuals exposed to animal bite as shown in the records of Animal Bite Centers in the province. She added that Northern Samar is one of the two remaining provinces in Eastern Visayas with no human rabies cases.

Municipalities with high animal bite incidence include Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Allen, and Catubig.  Meanwhie, the island towns of San Antonio and Capul reported 0 incidence and remain rabies-free communities. 

From the Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Rabies Coordinator, Ms. Sheila Acero, reported aggressive conduct of anti-rabies campaign, having already vaccinated 15,090 dogs and 1,930 cats provincewide, in addition to animal population control strategies such as castration and neuter surgery. 

So far, Northern Samar has existing Animal Bite Centers at Allen District Hospital, San Antonio District Hospital, Capul District Hospital, Northern Samar Provincial Hospital, Catubig District Hospital, GB Tan Memorial Hospital, Gamay District Hospital, San Roque RHU Animal Bite Treatment Center; and Private ABC comprising Rabicare and QMS in Catarman.

To sustain the Anti-Rabies Program, the committee agreed to collaborate with non-government organizations and actively involve local chief executives to increase the vaccination coverage at the municipal and barangay level, especially in the island and interior barangays, as well as encourage responsible pet ownership.

The Provincial Government through the PRCC remains committed to safeguarding community health and achieving a Rabies-Free Province by continuing rabies control initiatives in Northern Samar.

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