Rabies virus is now a serious matter in our society that needs to be addressed immediately and properly.
In this way, the Local Government of San Fernando highlighted rabies prevention, awareness, and responsible pet ownership to some Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Councilors during the ‘Rabies Prevention and Responsible Pet Ownership Forum’ on October 2, 2018 at the Mini Convention Center, Heroes Hall.
Spearheaded by the City Health Office and in partnership with the City Agriculture and Veterinary Office the said program seeks to inform the public on how to prevent themselves and their animals on rabies virus.
During his presentation, City Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Paul Manlapaz, discussed the proper ways on how to care and treat their pet animals.
“Ang mga hayop parang tao din sila, kagaya natin ay kailangan din nila ng masustansyang pagkain, malinis na inumin, maayos na silungan at upang makaiwas sila sa sakit ay kailangan din na paliguan sila ng dalawang beses sa isang linggo,” he said.
Manlapaz furthered that pet animals, particularly dogs should be ‘vaccinated against rabies’.
“Ang vaccine po kasi, ito yung proteksyon na binibigay sa mga aso upang makaiwas sila sa sakit at upang hindi sila makapagbigay ng sakit sa iba. Bukas ang City Agriculture and Veterinary Office (CAVO) kung nais niyo pong ipa-konsulta yung mga alagang hayop nyo,” he added.
Meanwhile, Communicable Disease Coordinator Dr. Renely Tungol informed everyone that the city has zero cases of human rabies virus for almost seven years.
She added that the City Health Office has various programs and services for Fernandinos to fight this virus.
“Dahil po iyan sa programa ng city government, na ang bakuna laban sa rabies ay ating nabibigay sa publiko. Ang CHO po ay may Animal Bite Center, na kung saan nagbibigay ito ng libreng bakuna sa mga taong nakagat ng kahit anong hayop. Mayroon din po tayong five (5) rural health units at forthy-five (45) barangay health stations na maaari niyo pong bisitahin at handang magbigay ng serbisyo,” she said in an interview.
For his part, Mayor Edwin ‘EdSa’ Santiago reiterated that ‘health’ is one of the city’s priorities for he believes that everyone and even animals should be healthy and fit, in order for the city to achieve a ‘healthy and safe community’.
“Sa lahat ng bagay, lagi natin isaalang-alang ang ating kalusugan. Hindi natin magagawa ang mga ninanais natin kung tayo ay sakitin at kung ang komunidad natin ay malapit sa anumang sakit. Ang Syudad San Fernando po ay sinisiguro na ang bawat Fernandino ay malusog, masigla, at masaya sa pamamagitan ng mga iba’t-ibang serbisyo na tiyak na makakatulong sa inyong lahat,” Santiago said.