Taguig intensifies anti-rabies program, offers free vaccination
Despite posting a zero incidence of rabies-related incidents, the local government of Taguig has intensified its anti-rabies program by offering a free vaccination drive in all of its 28 barangays all year round.
Mayor Lani Cayetano tasked the City Agriculture Office and the City Veterinarian to conduct a free animal vaccination drive all over the city for the prevention of rabies infection.
The City Health Office, for its part, provides free anti-rabies shots for people inflicted with the virus through the city’s two Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) in the barangays of Ibayo-Tipas and North Signal.
“The best way to prevent rabies infection is through vaccination programs. Though our Health Office offers free anti-rabies vaccines for those bitten by rabid animals, it is imperative that we start from the root and that is through the vaccination of our pets,” Mayor Lani said.
According to the Agriculture Office head Emelita Solis, there is a year-round free animal vaccination drive in all of the city’s barangays. The first one for this year was conducted last January 16 and vaccinated a total of 192 animals in Western Bicutan alone.
She added that just for the months of January and February, a total of 3,269 pets received free vaccination in 13 barangays.
Meanwhile, CHO officer-in-charge Dr. Isaias Ramos said that there were no positive cases of rabies the past two years in Taguig which Mayor Lani sees as testament of the city’s good decision to bring medical and social services closer to the people.
City Veterinarian Dr. Alex Siblag nevertheless advised those who were bitten to refrain from resorting to hearsay on how to treat animal bites or scratches.
“The best way to treat wounds is to wash it with soap and running water to get rid of the bacteria and proceed to the nearest health center or ABTC,” he said.
With this, Mayor Lani is urging pet-owners to be responsible in taking care of their pets and see to it that they are properly vaccinated. ###