DOH tells pet owners: Be responsible, vaccinate pets

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Tuesday urged the public to become responsible pet owners by having their pets vaccinated in time for the Rabies Awareness Month.

In a statement, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III stressed the importance of prevention in eliminating rabies, a viral disease that kills more than 59,000 people worldwide annually.

“Prevention is key in eliminating the rabies disease. Ninety-nine percent of all rabies transmissions to humans are from dogs,” Duque said.

He added: “Be a responsible pet owner and vaccinate your pets. This is the most effective strategy to prevent rabies.”

The Health chief said he hopes to eliminate dog mediated rabies in the Philippines by 2030.

At least 200 Filipinos are killed by rabies annually, the DOH sad.

According to the World Health Organization, 99 percent of all rabies transmission are from dogs.

An executive order declared the month of March every year as Rabies Awareness Month. — Gaea Katreena Cabico