Manila: Rabies cases in the Philippines have climbed to 260 from January to September 20 this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. In a public advisory, the DOH reported that 95 percent of the infections were linked to animals that were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. With the rising number of cases, the DOH urged the public to take preventive measures through responsible pet ownership.
According to Philippines News Agency, annual vaccination of pets is the most effective protection against rabies for both humans and animals. The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 makes vaccination mandatory for pet owners to help eliminate rabies nationwide. Local government programs provide rabies vaccines for free. The first rabies vaccine is given to puppies around three months old, followed by yearly boosters for all adult pets.
The DOH also reminded pet owners to register their dogs and cats with their barangay, keep pets from roaming unsupervised, and immediately seek treatment at an Animal Bite Treatment Center if bitten or scratched. The agency issued the reminder as part of the observance of World Rabies Day 2025, highlighting the importance of prevention to save lives.