Rabies remains a serious threat across the Philippines, but health experts emphasize that vaccinating pets is the safest and most affordable way to prevent this deadly disease—saving lives and avoiding costly treatments after a bite occurs.
Kabankalan nurse Jennifer Ortaliz told Brigada News FM-Kabankalan on Monday, June 2, that rabies continues to pose a serious risk, especially because many pet owners fail to vaccinate their animals and allow dogs to roam freely.
She explained that dogs are often considered the primary carriers of rabies. They become infected when bitten by rabid animals such as stray dogs, bats, or cats.
The virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and can enter the human body through wounds or mucous membranes.
Rabies attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It spreads mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals.
When a person is bitten by an unvaccinated or potentially rabid animal, the virus enters an incubation period.
The incubation period for rabies usually lasts one to three months. Once this period ends, symptoms begin to appear suddenly, and rabies is almost always fatal from that point onward, Ortaliz said.
She also encouraged pet owners to take advantage of free or low-cost vaccination services provided by public veterinarians through the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure their pets are protected.
Legal framework
The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9482) requires pet owners to vaccinate their dogs annually and keep them confined. Failure to comply may result in fines or imprisonment.
Despite this, many rural communities still report low vaccination rates. Health workers say many owners don’t see pets as real responsibilities.
Ortaliz added that others skip vaccinations due to financial constraints or lack of awareness. Ironically, the cost to treat a single human bite often far exceeds the cost of vaccinating all pets in a household.
She stressed accountability: “If your dog bites someone, you are responsible.”
“If you’re not ready to care for your pet and protect others, don’t keep a dog at all,” Ortaliz added.
Rabies remains a neglected but completely preventable disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 59,000 deaths worldwide each year, mostly among children.
Health authorities continue to push for ongoing public education, stricter enforcement of vaccination laws, and greater owner accountability.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.