I have lived in the Philippines now, for almost 7 years and have been a member of a number of Expat forums & groups and yet the topic of Rabies never seems to be discussed. I know of it. I see small clinics with signs about Rabies shots and occasional mentioned in conversation if someone has been bitten but there is more 'out there' about Mosquito's, Malaria & Dengue than given to Rabies.
So... should we be more aware?
Rabies is a serious disease in animals which is transmittable to humans through bites and importantly also through scratches or licks on open wounds. Animals are infected through contact with virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal. In the Philippines, the most common sources of infection are dogs and cats.
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) estimates that 300 to 600 Filipinos die of rabies each year. Sadly at least half of those infected are children aged between 5 and 14 years. Most people think that wild or stray dogs are the main carriers but almost 90% of the victims are bitten by their pet dogs. The DOH recognizes that rabies remains a public health problem in the country despite the enactment of Republic Act 9482, otherwise known as the Rabies Act of 2007 which seeks to eradicate rabies in the Philippines by 2020. Section 11 of RA 9482 imposes the following penalties on irresponsible pet owners:
1) Pet owners who fail or refuse to have their dog registered and immunized against rabies shall be punished by a fine of two thousand pesos (Php 2,000.00)
2) Pet owners who refuse to have their dog vaccinated against rabies shall be liable to pay for the vaccination of both the dog and the individuals bitten by their dog.
3) Pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation after said dog has bitten an individual shall be meted a fine of ten thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00)
4) Pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their dog shall be meted a fine of twenty five thousand pesos (Php 25,000.00)
5) Pet owners who refuse to put a leash on their dogs while they are brought outside the house shall be meted a fine of five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) for each incident
6) An impounded dog shall be released to its owner upon payment of a fine of not less than five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) but not more than one thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00)
In recent years, the Philippines was ranked 5th by the World Health Organization in terms of prevalence of Rabies. In 2001, a long-time resident of the UK contracted rabies after being bitten by a dog in the Philippines and later died in a London hospital. In 2006, two Japanese nationals were infected after being bitten by dogs in the Philippines.
Rabies is easily preventable in this day and age but once the signs and symptoms appear, Rabies is almost always fatal and irreversible.
So if you are bitten, what should you do? This advice from Philip S. Chua, M.D. Cebu Doctors Hospital
Even if the bite is by a rabid animal, human rabies rarely occurs if proper and aggressive local wound care and systemic (passive immunization) therapy is immediately instituted after exposure (bite). Local wound care is most essential as a preventive measure for the actual development of rabies. The bitten area must be instantly cleaned thoroughly with soap and water, or benzalkonium chloride. Go to the nearest Emergency Room for more definitive treatment. Administration of rabies immune globulin for passive immunization followed by human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HDCV) or rabies vaccine, adsorbed (RVA) for active immunization, provides the best therapy for post-exposure prophylaxis. Both the passive and active vaccines should be used concurrently, given at different sites of the body.
Rabies is a highly misunderstood disease among Filipinos. Very few know that a small scratch or a playful lick on an open wound can cost a person his/her life. Many, especially those in rural areas, still believe that garlic and a few drops of vinegar can cure rabies. Tandoks or faith healers are believed to have the power to eliminate the virus from the body with the use of a stone (called batong buhay) or by sucking with the use of a Carabao horn or an animal bone are widely accepted as a wiser and more economical alternative to vaccination.
So, if you think you have been infected via a bite or scratch, seek immediate treatment at a local hospital or medical center. Any delay could prove fatal.
Much more information on Medical & Health in The Philippines can be found on my Website Live and Retire in The Philippines
http://liveandretirephilippines.com/expat-life-in-the-philippines/medical-health
Also facts & information on many subjects for visitors to the Philippines from Housing, Visas, Banking etc from Expats living there.
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