IPHO: Dog bite victims should seek medical help immediately
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office is advising dog bite victims to immediately seek medical help from the nearest animal bite center or hospital so that proper medical treatment could be given them.
This was emphasized by Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, IPHO chief, after rabies claimed the life of Rainier Rodriguez, 18, a resident of Brgy. Layog, Maasin town.
With the recent death of Rodriguez, the number of deaths due to rabies in Iloilo province has increased to five from January to December.
“It has been our desire to have a zero casualty from rabies and we have been working hard to improve the health-seeking behavior of the people,” Trabado said.
Last November 15, Rodriguez was bitten by a stray dog which turned out to be rabid. He was brought to Ramon Tabiana District Hospital, but in order for him to be properly treated, he was referred to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.
Despite the referral letter given to his father Rey Rodriguez by hospital officer-in-charge Dr. Francisco Quinon, he was never brought to the WVMC.
It was only last December 4 when his family decided to bring him again to the district hospital but this time he was already in a serious condition. The victim passed away the following day.
The IPHO also learned that between the time that Rodriguez was bitten by the dog and brought back to the hospital, he had a drinking session with around 37 people which necessitated the IPHO to give pre-exposure prophylaxis to them.
The victim’s father and another person who was reportedly wounded during the capture of the dog will also be subjected to post-exposure prophylaxis.
Trabado said because of the latest rabies fatality, they are appealing to the public to practice responsible dog ownership.*PNA
