Statistics show that 200 to 300 deaths occur locally each year due to rabies, with the majority being children under 15 years old. It can also enter the body through a person’s eyes and mouth. Wrong beliefs such as rubbing garlic on the wound cannot treat rabies, so it is better to have your wounds assessed properly by medical professionals at animal bite centers or clinics.”. It would really lead to death.”. That simple measure can do wonders. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans. Theres good reason that the very word rabies evokes fear in people-once symptoms appear, rabies is close to 100-percent fatal. Brands Available in the Philippines But what is increasing over time is the number of animal bite patients,” Dr. Nicole said. Rabies-free PH by 2020. Added Rabies epidemiology transmission and prevention. “There are countries that are completely rabies-free but, unfortunately, the Philippines is not one of them. In May, Norway confirmed one rabies-related death following infection in the Philippines. According to the American Journal of Neuroradiology, rabies encephalitis is an acute infection involving the central nervous system in humans and other mammals caused by ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus as its genetic material. Getting an animal companion can set you back anywhere between P10,000 and P1.2 million. If you come in contact with a cat you suspect might have rabies, there are certain signs of the disease that you can look for in the animal. Reservoirs in the Philippines In the 1970's rabies remains one of the serious public health problems in the Philippines. - Share what you have learned from the experts. Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. It would really lead to death without prevention and early treatment.”. Since rabies is a fatal disease which can kill those who get infected with it,  a person should seek treatment immediately after bitten by a rabid animal. Depending on the medical literature you’re reading, the ‘incubation period’ of rabies cases could roughly be from three weeks to even three years. 84. Four (4) out of 144 rabies cases were bitten by a dog vaccinated against rabies. A huge percentage of rabies cases come from stray dogs. The Philippines ranks among the highest in the world in terms of rabies prevalence. “If you’re bitten by a rabid animal, usually symptoms are nonspecific on the early parts. “You can experience the classic symptoms of active rabies anywhere from three months to three years and, sometimes, even longer. Risk . If your cat has been vaccinated against rabies, provide proof of vaccination to your veterinarian. (b) Submit their Dogs for mandatory registration. See your doctor or nurse immediately. Rabies is a virus that directly affects the nervous system of the animal, so behavioural changes in cats are typical of this disease. The certificate must also state there have been no reported cases of rabies within a 20 kilometer radius from the point of origin (pet owner’s home) during the last six months. Dr. Nicole noted that although there can still be hope for the cases, which are still on the incubation phase, prevention is still the key. Therefore, on OneHowTo.com we explain how to tell if your cat has rabies. The incubation period of rabies in cats usually lasts between one and three months, but a lot of cases showed either a slow incubation period of up to a year, or a very fast one, of just one month.. Aside from responsible petownership, it is about educating people how to treat an animal bite. While taking care of our dogs and cats like our own family members could give us positive benefits for our overall well-being, having a pet also comes with great responsibilities, especially in making sure that they are not contracted with rabies. Rule 5(a)1. read By eCompareMo on May 17, 2016. There’s the same registration for the accreditation process for both public and private practices. “Once tested and confirmed for rabies infection, that dog, or that human, is almost certain to die,” she said. Rabies is an infectious disease of warm-blooded animals, though not all dogs and cats have rabies. Author Summary The Province of Bohol, Philippines has eliminated dog and human rabies in less than three years by empowering the community and implementing an intersectoral strategy. The most obvious sign would be the hanging of the tongue and continuous drooling. It is very important that ALL cats be vaccinated against rabies, including cats that never go outdoors. “We have made great strides in eliminating rabies particularly in the Visayas region where a number of provinces were declared rabies-free…. And for most cases, rabies cases can be prevented through responsible pet ownership. 2 Reported Rabies Cases by Month, Philippines, 2018* vs 2017 (n=324)A total of 1094 cases have been reported from Fig. The rabies virus is in the saliva of a sick animal. So, if you have recently been bitten by a cat or dog and in need of a shot, I found out that you have two cheap options instead of heading to private hospitals. The Department of Health (DOH) set 2030 to be the year wherein the Philippines will be rabies-free. Rabies is a viral disease that mainly affects carnivores, but can affect all mammals, including people. Rabies Elimination in the Visayas, the Philippines Rabies is responsible for the deaths of 200-300 Filipinos every year, more than 1/3 of these are children under the age of 15. Symptoms of rabies in cats vary from one stage to another, with cats behaving differently in each stage of the disease. There are an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually from rabies worldwide. That’s why we really try to emphasize prevention and early treatment because the virus has a long incubation period. The virus affects the brain and nervous system, with initial signs of change in behavior. Carnivores are common vectors of the rabies virus as nature has given these mammals sharp teeth and claws to pierce the skin.