One person died of rabies while nine others were also suspected to have succumbed to the deadly virus in Negros Occidental this year, the Provincial Health Office reported Monday, October 3.
Rafael Marmolejo III, PHO Rabies Coordinator, said the increase in rabies deaths in Negros Occidental is alarming.
The latest suspected rabies fatality is a 6-year-old child from San Carlos City, he said.
Only four persons died from rabies in Negros Occidental last year, Marmolejo said.
Negros Occidental has had 14,232 animal bite cases in the second quarter of 2022 or an increase of 25.49 percent compared to the same period last year, he said.
Those bitten by dogs or other animals should wash their wounds with running water and soap for 10 to 15 minutes, and place betadine, Marmolejo said.
The wound should not be squeezed and garlic should not be placed on it, he added.
Patients should also immediately seek help at any of the 21 animal bite treatment centers in Negros Occidental or see a doctor, Marmolejo said.
Once a patient suffers from hydrophobia or fear of water and aerophobia or fear of fresh air it is 80 percent certain that he or she has been hit with rabies, which is fatal, he said.
Only a confirmatory test from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine can determine if a person was positive for rabies, Marmolejo said.
The rise in rabies cases in Negros Occidental could be because of the drop in dogs vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
The convening of the Rabies Council has been recommended.*