CVM co-sponsors symposium for a rabies-free Laguna

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) held the “Rabies One Health Symposium: Working Together for a Rabies-Free Laguna” on March 28 at the CAS Annex Auditorium. 

Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz, who welcomed the participants,  asked the organizers what actions could be done towards zero rabies in the province of Laguna. He also enjoined the UPLB community to be actively involved as stakeholders, emphasizing that partnerships are integral, and that UPLB is one with the national and provincial government in the rabies-free Laguna advocacy. The symposium, he said, would create stronger bonds and linkages that will lead to the elimination of rabies in the province.

Dr. Ma. Luningning E. Villa, GARC country representative, introduced the organization and discussed its mission of preventing human deaths from rabies.  She also laid out the symposium’s objectives, which are to: 1) appreciate the importance of rabies elimination; 2) understand the role of each sector; 3) lay-out programs/activities for rabies prevention and control in the locality; and 4) express commitment towards a rabies-free Laguna.

Ms. Maria Shiela B. Berbano, regional coordinator of the Rabies Prevention and Control Program, discussed the rabies situation in humans. She said that rabies is a public health problem in the Philippines with 200 to 300 Filipinos dying every year principally from rabies contracted from dog bites, and with the most number of rabies cases involving school children. Berbano also discussed statistics showing that Laguna and Cavite have the most number of human rabies cases in the Calabarzon in 2012. She then described the details of the Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) that they conducted.

“Rabies is 100 percent fatal but 100 percent preventable”, was the essence Dr. Emelinda L. Lopez’s discussion on the rabies situation in animals. Dr. Lopez heads the Animal Health Division of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry. She said that in 2013, 98 percent of animal rabies cases came from dogs, 1.8 percent from cats, and 0.2 percent from goats. According to her, Region 3 leads the list, while Laguna was 8th among the top 10 regions and provinces in the country where rabies has been found to be prevalent in 2013.

Dr. Rubina O. Cresencio, acting director of the DA-BAI, gave a short lecture about the National Program Direction and Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. 

Dr. Mary Grace M. Bustamante, provincial veterinarian of Laguna, discussed what their office has been doing including disease monitoring and surveillance, vaccination, local program implementation, and information and education campaign to bring rabies under control.

The provincial health officer of Laguna, Dr. Judy A. Rondilla, gave a presentation on the human rabies cases in Laguna and informed the audience about what the provincial government is doing towards rabies prevention and control. She said that although the goal of the Department of Health is for the Philippines to be rabies-free by 2016, the province of Laguna aims to be free of it by 2015. 

Dr. Rondilla also reported the following strategies and activities conducted as action steps for a rabies-free Laguna: 1) information education and communication; 2) manpower development (includes training and re-training); 3) coordination and linkages with other government offices and non-government organizations; 4) provision of post-exposure prophylaxis to all Animal Bite and Treatment Center staff; 5) pre-exposure to veterinary technicians and health workers assigned to treatment centers; 6) organization and revitalization of rabies control committee at all levels; 7) enforcement of rabies control ordinances through responsible pet ownership; 8) ensuring readiness of health facilities in the management of bite victims; and 9) establishment of the DOH-certified Animal Bite and Testing Centers.

The symposium included an open forum and workshop, with  an expression of commitment presented by the Office of the Provincial Governor. The event was formally closed by Dr. Loindra R. Baldrias, dean of the CVM.