Center for Health Development IV-B (MIMAROPA)

Rabies remains a public health problem in the

Philippines. Approximately 200 to 300 Filipinos Die
of Rabies every year.
Dogs remain to be the principal reservoir of rabies in
the country and the most cost effective intervention
in handling rabies is the mass vaccination of dogs;
creation of local ordinances on dog control
measures; and continuous education of pet owners
on responsible pet ownership.
Is a highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the
saliva of an infected animal. Usual physical
manifestations of a person with the virus includes
Hydrophobia, Muscle Spasms and Paralysis.
The virus is transmitted to man through bite/lick (of an
infected animal, usually a dog) or through
contamination with a virus-laden saliva on the any
breaks in the victim’s skin integrity, or through the
victim’s eyes, lips or mouth.
1. Immediately WASH the wound with
SOAP and WATER.
2. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN
IMMEDIATELY or CALL the
NEAREST ANIMAL BITE
TREATMENT CENTER in the
area.
There are two main forms:
a.Furious Type

b.Dumb Type
Under the Furious type:
1. Change in friendly disposition into wild/vicious
behaviour.
2. Whining – as if in pain
3. Foaming of the mouth
4. If on a leash, bites objects within its reach, if caged (at
times may even bites the cage).
5. Difficulty in eating or drinking
6. Restlessness
7. Snaps at imaginary objects.
Under the DumbType:
1. Becomes lethargic and depressed (sluggish and sleepy). Hides
in the dark, quiet places.
2. Refuses to eat
3. Appears to be staring at distant objects.
4. The lower jaw drops, the tongue hang and the dog salivates
continuously.
5. Difficulty in swallowing and drinking.
6. Lameness
7. Difficulty in breathing
8. Dies suddenly without any known cause.
1. Do not kill the biting dog.
2. Restrain the dog (either on a leash or confine in a
cage).
3. Submit the dog to a licensed veterinarian for
observation. Or Observe the behaviour of the biting
dog for 14 days for any signs of possible rabies.
4. If the dog dies in 14 days, call a veterinarian for the
proper submission of samples to the nearest
diagnostic laboratory.
1. Vaccination of pet dogs against rabies at 3
months of age and every year thereafter.
2. Provision of clean and comfortable shelter.
3. Provision of proper nutrition and care.
4. Keeping the dog within the property, avoiding
contact with infected dogs. Keeping them on a
leash when taken for walks and daily exercise.
5. Subjecting the pets to regular health consultation
with a licensed veterinarian.
1.Does the weather and season affect the incidence of
Rabies?
-NO. Rabies in both humans and animals does not in any
way follow a seasonal pattern.

2. Is it true that a rabid dog dies “ONLY” after it has

bitten a person?
-NO. Whether or not a dog has bitten a person, a rabid
dog still dies within 14 days.
3. Is Rabies Curable?
-NO. Once a victim shows manifestations indicating
brain involvement, the rabies victim dies within 14
days.
4. Is Rabies Preventable?
-YES. By administering vaccine and immunoglobulin at
the right time to a bite victim immediately after
incidence of bite (Consider the TIME factor). Another
important component is proper WOUND CARE.
5.What is Rabies Post Exposure Treatment?
-It is the treatment given to bite victims exposed to rabid
animals. It consists of Local Wound Treatment , Active
Immnunization (Vaccination), and Passive Immunization
(Administration of Rabies Immunoglobulin).
6. Where can a bite victim avail the post-exposure
treatment against rabies?
-A bite victim can avail the post exposure vaccines from the
nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center.
7. What should be done IMMEDIATELY AFTER being
bitten by a stray animal?
-IMMEDIATELY wash the bite wound with water and
soap.
-CONSULT a physician or your nearest ANIMAL BITE
TREATMENT CENTER for Immunization.
-CONSULT a veterinarian for the management of the biting
dog.
8. Do we need to kill the dog immediately?
-NO. Animal should be observed for 14 days.
9. Does the DOH encourage the seeking of
consultation from “tandoks”? Are they
considered nuisances in the rabies control
program?
-NO. The DOH does not encourage seeking the
services of tandoks (in treating rabies). However,
the DOH encourages the tandoks to refer the
victims to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment
Center.
10. If a person is bitten by a rabid patient, does
he/she need to receive anti-rabies
immunizations?
-YES. A rabid person can transmit the rabies virus
to another person. Thus, an evident need to
provide the anti-rabies vaccines.