Document Type

Report

Publication Date

8-2018

Abstract

The Philippines is among the Southeast Asian countries that has a long-standing problem with rabies. About 200 people die of rabies each year in the Philippines, and most are attributed to dog bite cases (Deray, 2015). The sources of infection of more than 95% of human rabies cases worldwide have been reported to be domestic dogs (Cleaveland, et al., 2006). Focusing on the main source rather than the human population, is therefore, the best strategy to eliminate rabies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends covering at least 70% of the existing domestic dog population with rabies vaccination in the shortest time possible (WHO, 2015). Experts and epidemiologists also recommend maintaining the population immunity above this critical level for at least twelve months, which also interrupts the transmission of rabies among the target population (Coleman & Dye, 1996; Cleaveland, et al., 2003; Hampson, et al., 2009; Morters, et al., 2013).

Comments

Humane Society International (HSI) would like to thank the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for the cooperation and the local city veterinary office of Lingayen for coordinating the trainings and conducting the survey. We extend our immense gratitude to the trainees and the surveyors, for their hard work and helping us in conducting the dog population survey. Lastly, we extend our sincerest thanks to the participants of the survey for their cooperation and understanding. These surveys’ results will help in designing better programs for the control of rabies, as well as more humane and effective dog population management programs.

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