Negros Logs Two More Suspected Rabies Deaths

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Two more suspected rabies-related deaths have been reported in Negros Occidental, bringing the total number of fatalities to four so far this year, according to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan.

The latest cases involve a 21-year-old woman from Cauayan town and a 25-year-old woman originally from Kabankalan City but residing in Bacolod City.

The latter died on May 25 at a government hospital in Bacolod, two months after being bitten by a dog in her hometown.

Pinongan said the woman was bitten in March by a friend’s pet dog, which also died that same month.

The victim had not received a rabies vaccine, unlike her friend who was also bitten and vaccinated.

She later developed symptoms consistent with rabies, including hydrophobia and fever.

Authorities are conducting contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed.

Pinongan stressed that any human death from rabies is alarming and urged the public to seek immediate medical care and vaccination after an animal bite or scratch.

This year’s first rabies-related death was a 4-year-old boy from Don Salvador Benedicto in February.

The second was a 72-year-old man from Hinoba-an, who had been bitten three years ago and reportedly consumed dog meat before his death in March.

The Provincial Health Office has yet to release details about the third fatality.

Health officials continue to advise the public not to ignore animal bites and to visit health centers promptly for post-exposure treatment.

Contact Tracing Underway

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office (CHO) Environmental Sanitation Division, said contact tracing is ongoing in Bacolod, where the fourth victim lived before her death.

Tan said the victim was staying in Barangay 35 and was admitted to a hospital on May 24 with signs of aerophobia and hydrophobia.

She died the following day.

No official rabies deaths have been recorded in Bacolod City this year.

Tan said they are determining the places the victim visited prior to her hospitalization.

Once close contacts are identified, they will be advised to undergo vaccination if eligible.

“This is to prevent human-to-human transmission,” she said.

CHO data from January to April show that Barangay Mansilingan had the highest number of monthly animal bite cases: 120 in January, 88 in February and 106 in March.

Barangay Taculing recorded the most cases in April with 86.

The top five barangays with bite cases in April were Taculing with 86, Mansilingan with 74, Estefania with 69, Tangub with 60 and Singcang-Airport with 58.

Tan said the CHO is working with the Bacolod City Veterinary Office to strengthen advocacy on responsible pet ownership.

She said symptoms of rabies may vary, making early medical consultation essential.

She also emphasized the importance of completing all doses of the anti-rabies vaccine.