Iloilo logs nearly 70,000 animal bite cases

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Animal bite cases in Iloilo province reached nearly 70,000 in 2025, with one confirmed rabies-related death, according to data from the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program released by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The Rabies and Bite Victim Report recorded a total of 69,562 animal bite victims during the year.

Of the total cases, 31,460 involved males and 38,102 involved females.

In terms of age, 25,865 victims were younger than 15, while 43,697 were 15 and older.

IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said the lone rabies fatality involved a male resident of Alimodian.

Animal bite incidents were classified into three exposure categories based on severity.

Category I exposures, which involve no break in the skin and do not require post-exposure prophylaxis, accounted for 107 cases.

Category II exposures, involving minor scratches or superficial wounds that require post-exposure prophylaxis, totaled 35,040 cases.

Category III exposures, considered the most severe and involving deep wounds or bites requiring both post-exposure prophylaxis and rabies immunoglobulin, accounted for 34,415 cases.

For post-exposure treatment, 68,807 individuals received anti-rabies tissue culture vaccine.

A total of 19,779 patients received equine rabies immunoglobulin, while 300 were given human rabies immunoglobulin.

An additional 1,789 individuals received pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Dogs and cats remained the primary sources of animal bites in the province.

Records showed 33,809 dog bite cases and 35,614 cat bite cases, while 139 cases involved other animals.

Quiñon said the increase in cat-related cases may be linked to the growing number of households keeping cats as pets.

“Even a scratch from a cat already requires vaccination,” she said.

Animal bite incidents remain a major public health concern because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Health officials stressed that immediate consultation at an animal bite treatment center after a bite or scratch is critical to ensure timely vaccination and prevent rabies-related deaths.

The province operates 38 public animal bite treatment centers, including 13 hospital-based facilities and 25 in rural health units, in addition to 20 certified private animal bite clinics.

Despite the number of facilities, Quiñon said vaccine supplies may still be limited due to the high volume of patients.

“To avoid high medical expenses, prevention is still the best approach,” she said.

“Pet owners should ensure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies, kept leashed or caged, and not allowed to roam freely,” she added.

Quiñon also emphasized the need to educate children, urging parents and guardians to guide them in avoiding teasing, provoking, or playing roughly with animals, especially unfamiliar ones.

In 2024, Iloilo recorded 70,405 animal bite incidents, which resulted in five deaths.

Meanwhile, Iloilo ranked seventh nationwide in rabies cases in 2025, based on data from the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office.

The province recorded 48 rabies cases during the year.

In a radio interview, Provincial Veterinary Office head Dr. Darel Tabuada said the figure reflects significant improvement compared with previous years.

Rabies cases declined from 2021, when Iloilo recorded 97 cases and topped the national list.

As of 2025, the province had an estimated 367,000 dogs, with 78% already vaccinated against rabies.

Iloilo also recorded more than 30,000 cats during the same period.

The Provincial Veterinary Office is conducting a three-month, provincewide mass dog vaccination campaign as part of intensified rabies control efforts.

The province is targeting rabies-free status by 2030.