Thirteen dogs have tested positive for rabies in Negros Occidental and Bacolod this year, a Provincial Veterinary Office report released Friday, October 7.
OIC Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana said 12 of the cases were from various towns in Negros Occidental and one is from Bacolod City.
Seventeen rabies cases were reported in the same period in 2021.
A laboratory test is a big help, because it can immediately determine if a dog is positive for rabies, and those bitten can immediately be treated, she said.
A Provincial Health Office report earlier showed that nine people died due to suspected rabies and one was confirmed to have died due to rabies this year.
The PVO’s campaign for responsible pet ownership is ongoing.
So far only 42 percent of the target dogs in the province have been vaccinated against rabies, or 115,000 of the target 218,000.*