2 recent deaths place Carles under 'Rabies-alert' status
After two confirmed rabies deaths within a month, provincial health officials placed a northern Iloilo town under the rabies "alert-threshold" status.
A third victim, a 48 year-old neighbor of the duo is undergoing treatment following symptoms observed by attending health workers here. He sustained dog bite in the leg.
In an interview over Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Dr. Maricor Quiñon of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) identified the town as Carles, Iloilo.
Reports from the field disclosed this month's fatalities blamed on a rabied-dog in the area with the incident traced back in March 29th.
The "alert-threshold" status is immediately in place after two or more rabies-deaths.
The first fatality, The News Today (TNT) learned was recorded May 3rd, the victim a 53 year-old woman. Family members told authorities that symptoms manifested last week of April.
The second died May 9th, a 69 year-old woman-owner of the rabied dog.
The third victim was fortunately aided and given anti-rabies vaccine. All three showed similar symptoms consistent with rabied dog-bites.
The two women fatalities sustained bites on the arms with the rabies believed to have easily infected their whole system including the brain.
With the rabies alert-threshold status in place, PHO officials and representatives from the Regional Health Office will visit Carles to check on anti-rabies campaign here. It is further expected that a more aggressive drive will be instituted in order to prevent more incidents in the area.