Expert tags "ignorance" for rabies-related deaths

CEBU, Philippines - A rabies specialist from the World Health Organization (WHO) eyes "ignorance" as top reason for deaths caused by rabies.

During the inauguration of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC), Dr. Alexander Wandeler, a specialist on rabies from the WHO, said most countries that have high cases of rabies-related deaths are due to "ignorance."

According to Wandeler, most of these countries are not serious about the threats brought about by the rise in rabies cases.

He said some countries still continue to exercise "indigenous" methods of treating dog-bite victims which according to him is a "risk" which can lead to death.

He said that what Vicente Sotto has done, is one way to improve the areas capability to assist dog-bite victims fast and to increase their chance of survival.  

Meanwhile, the Department of Health - 7 Rabies Coordinator, Jeceline Tabotabo is glad VSMMC has accepted the challenge to house an ABTC right at the middle of the metropolitan Cebu area.

"Dako kaayo matabang ang Sotto sa mga patient nga ma paakan og dogs and cats, kay very accessible raman, within ra sa city," Tabotabo said.

Most of those who can benefit from the new ABTC are residents from the city of Cebu and neighboring cities and municipalities.

A dog-bite victim requires four doses of anti-rabies vaccines. Tabotabo clarified that the DOH will not shoulder the fourth dose because that's the dog owner's responsibility as mandated by Republic Act 9482 or otherwise known as the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.

DOH program manager on rabies, Dr. Raffi Deray told The FREEMAN that the new ABTC is still part of the department's goal of making the Visayas rabies-free.

"We have a project for regions 6, 7, and 8 which is the rabies-free Visayas project that is supported by the World Health Organization," said Deray.

DOH-7 since last year was alarmed over the rise of rabies cases in the region. The department recorded last year over 25,000 cases of dog-bites.

Compared to previous years, the department recorded over 25,000 cases of people bitten by dogs last year, 13 of which, died of rabies.

Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. — THE FREEMAN