In celebration of Rabies Awareness Month, the City Health Office (CHO), through the Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC), will host lectures at the ABTC main office on March 12 and 26 this year.
Dr. Yleona Ysabel Camelotes, ABTC’s District Health Physician, said during the I-Speak Media forum on Thursday that they will hold lectures to provide Dabawenyos with a comprehensive understanding of rabies.
The lectures are aimed at educating Dabawenyos about rabies prevention and management.
Camelotes also said that their continuous efforts to spread knowledge and provide anti-rabies vaccinations have resulted in the decline in the rabies fatality rate in recent years.
She said the ABTC recorded three cases in 2024 and four in 2023. The most cases— 13 fatalities —were recorded in 2022. Most deaths were bitten by animals and did not receive any vaccination.
She also reminded Dabawenyos not to panic when bitten by an animal. She advises cleaning the bitten or scratched wound for around 10 to 15 minutes and washing it with antiseptic soap. After washing, she added, betadine or alcohol should be applied to the wound.
She said that although rabies is fatal, it is also a hundred percent preventable through anti-rabies vaccination.
She also urged Dabawenyos to go to their nearest ABTC satellite centers to avail of their services. ABTC has nine ABTCs including its main office located on Magallanes Street. The satellite centers are in Toril, Mintal, Calinan District, Marilog District, Angliongto in Sasa, Tibungco in Bunawan District, Paquibato, and Cabantian. CIO
