From measles to malaria, how to keep you and your family healthy on holiday

Animal Bite Center Secures 4K Anti-rabies Vaccines

THE Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) has received around 4,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine for 2025, enough to treat approximately 1,000 patients.

Dr. Yleona Ysabel T. Camelotes, ABTC district health physician, said the center continues to provide free vaccines while supplies last. The Department of Health (DOH) also provides additional vials as needed.

However, she noted that vaccine stocks often run out by midyear, partly due to increased animal aggression during the summer months, which leads to more bite cases.

Camelotes explained that patients typically need three doses of the vaccine, depending on the prescribed treatment.

"Syempre hindi lang kasi one-time pupunta si patient we have three doses tapos depende pa talaga sa vaccines kung ano bibigay (Patients don't just visit once; they need multiple doses depending on the type of vaccine given)," she said during the ISpeak media forum, on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025, at the DCIPC Building.

In 2024, ABTC treated 48,483 patients, averaging over 100 new cases and around 200 follow-ups daily. Among those treated, 30,000 were aged 15 and older, while 18,483 were 15 and below.

Davao City recorded three rabies-related deaths in 2024. The victims, all male, were aged 45, 32, and 56

Patients seeking treatment at ABTC can either avail of the vaccine through the Lingap assistance program or pay out of pocket. 

The center assesses cases based on severity, with most falling under category 3, which requires an additional dose of immunoglobulin (HRIG)—a costly but life-saving treatment. Category 1 cases do not require vaccination and only need exposure prophylaxis, while category 2 cases are treated depending on the type of wound.

To access ABTC's services, patients must present a valid ID. For category 3 cases, a PhilHealth card is required. Minors must bring a school ID or birth certificate, and an additional amount for the injection fee.

Camelotes also warned against the use of traditional remedies such as "tandok" or garlic application on wounds, stressing that these methods do not prevent rabies. She urged the public to seek immediate medical attention, reinforcing ABTC's ongoing campaign against misinformation and unsafe practices.

With rabies cases remaining a serious health concern, ABTC continues to operate across Davao City, with centers in Magallanes, Toril, Tugbok, Marilog, Calinan, Sasa, Paquibato, Cabantian, and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). RGP

DOH-11 Raises Alarm Over Rising Number Of Rabies Deaths

By Rgil Relator

Published February 18, 2025 4:04 PM

Photo via GMA Regional TV One Mindanao

The Department of Health-Davao (DOH-11) has sounded the alarm bells over the increasing number of rabies deaths in the region.

Data from DOH-11 showed that up to 36 people have died from rabies in 2024, which was higher than the 24 deaths in 2023.

Up to 120,000 animal bite cases were also recorded in 2024.

DOH-11 said it has allocated P1 million for anti-rabies vaccines in 2025 and the central office is expected to add 1,800 vials.

However, DOH-11 said it may not be enough because of the increasing number of cases.

DOH-11 urged the local government units to also allocate funds for additional vaccines as it is ready to provide support.

"Inutos ni Secretary na ating mga regions, mga LGU magcoordinate dahil tutulong ang region at national government para maibsan ang apangngailangan sa rabies vaccines may instruction siya na kung kaya ng mga budget natin ay punan natin , mag augment tayo," DOH-11 Director, Dr. Abdullah Dumama, Jr., said.

DOH-11 also urged pet owners to be responsible.

"Baka pwede tayong makipagtulungan sa ating mga pet owners organization kasi nakita natin ang karamihan sa mga aso o kaya nakakagatan ay tamed o kaya nasa bahay nila sana po makipagtulungan tayo sa ating pet owners para magkaroon ng responsible pet ownership," Dumama added.

The animal welfare group Bantay Hayop Davao also encouraged pet owners not to wait for free anti-rabies vaccines.

"You have to prioritize it it's anti-rabies vaccine you have to prioritize. People are complaining because mondays to fridays daw may trabaho sila but if you can be absent for a gala why not be absent for half day for vaccination of your pets kung ayaw niyong umabsent you spend for the private vaccination which cost a little amount lang naman. Don't wait for anti-vaccine rabies to come to your household yun yung importante ang safety and security ng pets at ng household," Bantay Hayop Davao Director, Rovie Bullina, said.

Davao's Free Anti-rabies Vaccines May Run Out By Mid-year

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 Feb) — An official from the City Health Office – Animal Bite Treatment Center (CHO-ABTC) here estimated that their free anti-rabies vaccines might be used up by mid-year.

Stray dogs are said to be a major source of rabies. MindaNews file photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

ABTC district health physician Yleona Ysabel Camelotes said that they only have 4,000 allocated free anti-rabies vaccine vials for this year, which can only accommodate "more or less 1,000 people."

"Usually by mid or end of year, we run out of the vaccine. The patient won't come only once. It requires three doses, or depending how much the patient will need," Camelotes said in a press conference at the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center conference room Thursday morning.

Camelotes added that high demand for animal bite vaccines and possible price changes of vaccines, especially during summer, affected their mid-year predictions.

If this happens, they would be ready to recommend those people who'd want to avail anti-rabies vaccines to go to other offices, such as Lingap Para sa Mahirap Program of the City Mayor's Office. Sometimes, she said the patients "will spend out of their own pockets."

This is apart from their prioritization for immunoglobulins, which she said are expensive to avail.

Based on the data obtained by MindaNews, CHO-ABTC had 7,050 purified chick embryo cell culture (PCECV) vaccine supply last year, which are used to prevent or treat rabies exposure.

Most of the vaccines the CHO-ABTC usually have are PCECV and tetanus toxoids, for tetanus wounds brought by animal bites.

Camelotes said that if patients would need post-exposure prophylaxis, or a combination of medications that can prevent the spread of rabies infection, they would generally refer the patients to private hospitals to seek these treatments.

CHO-ABTC recorded 48,483 rabies-infected cases and three rabies-related deaths last year in Davao City.

Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama, in an Inquirer report, stated that despite the "alarming" rise of rabies cases around the world, the national government slashed its anti-rabies vaccine procurement.

He specified that in the case of Davao Region, which only had P1-million allocation this year, which would "equate to 1,000 vials." Last year, the government allocated P8 million.

The World Health Organization's website about rabies mentioned that in the Philippines, 284 human rabies cases were reported in 2022, compared to 213 cases in 2012.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that from January to May 2024, there were 169 reported rabies cases, which is 13% higher than the same period in 2023.

Dumama said that DOH recorded 36 cases of rabies-related deaths from January 1 to December 31, 2024 in the Davao Region. This is higher compared to 24 cases in the same period in 2023. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)

---