By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Negros Occidental reminded the public, particularly residents of Binalbagan town and other neighboring villages, to report the presence of rabid dogs, locally known as “ido buang,” to prevent them from harming the community.

A team from the PVO was deployed last week to Barangay Bagroy, Binalbagan town as part of the quick response team following a suspected human rabies case which resulted in the death of an eight-year-old girl.

The team was composed of veterinarians from the PVO animal health division, and laboratory services division. District field unit personnel also went to the area to conduct field investigation, quick response dog vaccination and Information-Education Campaign (IEC).

With an estimated dog population of 500 heads, the team aims to finish the massive vaccination in three to five days, covering the entire barangay and neighboring areas within the five-kilometer radius, a PVO press release said.

It can be recalled that a dog from the same barangay had been tested positive for rabies in October 2018. The neighboring village of Cabadiangan in Himamaylan City also had several canine rabies cases last year.

Coordinated efforts  are also being conducted by the PVO team with the neighboring local government units of Isabela and Himamaylan City to ensure that dogs in the border barangays have received appropriate vaccination against rabies to prevent the spread of the same.

The PVO reminded residents of these barangays and surrounding areas to be highly vigilant and immediately report to the proper authorities any presence of rabid dogs to also prevent the spreading of the disease to other dogs.

Pet owners are also encouraged to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and prevent them from roaming around the streets.

All dog bite victims are also advised to seek immediate and appropriate medical attention since rabies has no treatment once the symptoms start to manifest.