Rabies cases in City drop in 1st quarter
Rabies cases in Iloilo City decreased in the first quarter of 2008 compared to last year of the same period. The City Health Office (CHO) has registered 271 cases of dog bites in the first four months of this year. No deaths has been recorded.
City Health Office Statistician II Mercedes C. Depra said of the recorded cases of dog bites they have immunized 45 persons. Those who were immunized were confirmed to have been infected with rabies. The heads of the dogs were cut off and submitted for laboratory examination.
Last year of the same period, 354 rabies cases were recorded with 79 immunized persons in the first quarter. There was also no record of death.
Depra said the CHO only immunized persons bitten by dogs with confirmed rabies infection. Immediate vaccination is required on patients with dog bite within the upper part of the body especially in areas near the head.
Doctors do not recommended the immediate immunization of victims with dog bites in the lower part of the body especially when it is only a scratch. "They are observing the 14 days period," said Depra.