TACLOBAN CITY – The City Veterinary Office (CVO) has launched an Information Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign in local public elementary schools to raise awareness about rabies, a fatal yet preventable disease commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
Throughout May, the CVO personnel visited Rizal Central, RTR Elementary School, and Sto. Niño SPED Center on May 9, 11, and 16, respectively, delivering informative talks to the students about the severity of animal rabies and its prevention.
CVO Chief Dr. Eunice Alcantara explained that the campaign's primary objective is to enlighten students on the nature of the rabies disease and its preventable measures as part of the broader rabies elimination and control program.
She emphasized that the virus enters the human body through the bite of a rabid animal, particularly affecting the victim's nervous system. This can lead to symptoms such as intense anxiety, agitation, and hydrophobia, eventually resulting in death if untreated.
Citing data from the World Health Organization, she added that dogs account for up to 99% of all human rabies transmissions and are the primary cause of rabies-related mortality. Preventive measures include regular dog vaccinations and educating people, particularly children, to avoid dog bites.
The CVO team has scheduled visits to four more schools for the IEC campaign this month, including Kapangi-an Central School (May 18), San Fernando Central School (May 23), Panalaron Central School (May 25), and City Central School (May 30).
In parallel with this initiative, the CVO is also conducting a city-wide dog anti-rabies vaccination program throughout May, ensuring the protection of the city's canine population and contributing to the broader effort of disease control. —iTacloban (Source: CIO)