N. Cotabato town holds rabies symposium, vaccination

MATALAM, North Cotabato -- The local government of Matalam, the provincial health office and the provincial veterinary office conducted Wednesday a rabies symposium in an effort to strengthen rabies awareness, control and prevention.Present during the launching were health officials from Department of Health 12, led by Dr. Ali Tumama, Matalam Municipal Health Officer Dr. Rhemia G. Guianan, Dr. Eva C. Rabaya, head of Integrated Provincial Health Office and North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza.Mendoza gave an inspirational message during the opening of the activity where she highlighted the importance of awareness of rabies as well as its prevention and control and lauded the DOH and its partners for the continuous drive in education people.Matalam Mayor Oscar M. Valdevieso lauded the organizers of the symposium saying that it would help much in eradicating rabies virus cases in the town.This year’s World Rabies Day theme is Let’s End Rabies Together,” which calls for all sectors to unite and put an end to the deadly virus which is responsible for a large death toll in many countries, especially in Africa and Asia.According to Dr. Rufino Suropia, North Cotabato provincial veterinarian, said the government is focused on the massive campaign to achieve a zero-fatality incident on rabies, particularly in villages where rabies cases are high.The participants composed of barangay officials, health workers and other sectors were reoriented on the importance of anti-rabies vaccination, specifically on dogs and cats to ensure safety of pet owners, animals and the community as a whole.They were also given updates on the information and education drive of the DOH on the year round massive dog vaccination in target areas.Tumama presented the DOH programs in the prevention and control of rabies and also provided lectures on how to keep animals especially dogs and cats free from rabies.It included proper care of dog pets and explaining properly that stray dogs are more susceptible to rabies because of many factors and the food that they take.Tumama urged pet owners to be responsible pet owners and gave them tips on proper handling and taking care of dogs and other pets.Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is transmitted from animals to humans commonly by animal bites although there have been cases of humans becoming infected in bat caves after breathing in the air.Rabies infection is nearly always fatal (99.9% fatality rate) unless prompt treatment is administered before symptoms begin.The observance of the World Rabies Day in the Province of North Cotabato was also marked by a massive vaccination of pet dogs in Kidapawan City.Dr. Suropia reported that a total of 65 dogs were vaccinated. He said the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) also welcomes animals for vaccination at its office at the Provincial Capitol, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City during office hours. Trained vaccination teams from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian are very much ready to cater to pet dogs and cats. It is for the safety of the entire community,” Suropia said.