MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Jan. 27 (PNA) — Bulakenyos who have been bitten or scratched by rabies-carrying animal could now avail of the full or four doses of anti-rabies vaccine for free.

The provincial government, through the initiative of Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, is giving the free vaccines in an effort to lessen the number of rabies cases in the province.

Based on the report of the Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) as of third quarter last year, there were 19 death cases due to rabies while there were 8,401 animal bite cases.

Report also showed that the PPHO has provided initial assistance to 6,760 patients.

Beneficiaries like Jose Dionisio, grandfather of Cedrick Dionisio, an eight-year old boy who was bitten by a dog, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the program.

“The money which was supposed to be used for his rabies vaccine was allotted for other expenses. we indeed saved a lot,” Dionisio said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Agriculture Office is also giving free anti-rabies vaccine to dogs all over Bulacan.

A continuous information dissemination, on the other hand, is being conducted province-wide by PPHO to teach the people how to prevent and combat rabies and give counseling, surveillance, and logistic augmentation to affected local government units.

The PPHO has reminded the public to be responsible pet caretakers by: giving proper and regular vaccination to their pets; keeping them under direct supervision; giving clean food and maintaining the cleanliness of the pet.

The PPHO also advised persons bitten and scratched by animals suspected of having rabies to wash the wound immediately with soap and water and observe the dog for 14 days for some changes including constant growling and barking, dilated pupils, disorientation, craving to eat anything, including inedible objects, and seizures.

Usually, the animal dies in three to seven days.

If the pet has these symptoms, the patient must be vaccinated and if the animal has gone astray and cannot be observed, it is best advised to consult with the nearest health center or public hospital, the PPHO added. (PNA) LAP/zst/EGG/ps