KIDAPAWAN CITY, (PNA) –- The Department of Health in the SOCCSKSARGEN region on Monday reported 15 deaths due to rabies in 15 cases monitored in the region from January 1 to date.
Data from the DOH-12 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), showed that there were 15 dog bites cases monitored in the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos.
This year’s figure was 25 percent higher as compared to the same period last year.
North Cotabato recorded the highest number of dog bite cases with seven fatalities.
One dog bite case was reported in Gen. Santos City, two in South Cotabato and five cases in Sultan Kudarat.RESU said the age of cases ranged from seven to 58 years and more than half of cases (73 percent) were male.
Most of the victims were aged 10 years old and below and between 30 to 40 years old.
All cases were bitten by a dog and 67 percent of the 15 cases were bitten by a domestic dog.
While the health workers in the region did not put the cases under alarming situation category, they appealed to dog owners in the region to have their pets vaccinated by coordinating with the provincial or city veterinary office.