SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) has reiterated its warning that traditional remedies like “tandok” (traditional method of extracting venom/saliva from a bite) are ineffective in treating rabies, stressing the importance of immediate medical attention and vaccination.
This statement comes amidst ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of rabies, a viral disease that can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, commonly acquired from an animal bite, which is deadly if not given immediate medical attention.
The DOH-Ilocos Center for Health Development (CHD) is ramping up its efforts to advocate rabies awareness month this March.
Rheuel C. Bobis, chief of the Disease Prevention and Control Section of the DOH Ilocos CHD, emphasized that vaccination is still the most effective way to treat rabies.
“We keep repeating that ‘tandok’ is not effective against rabies. The most effective way to avoid rabies is through vaccination,” Bobis said during an episode of the Kapihan sa Ilocos of PIA Regional Office 1.
He further explained that although the incubation period for rabies usually ranges from 20 to 90 days, there are rare cases where symptoms can appear several years later, highlighting the importance of rabies vaccination, especially before symptoms appear.
“If you are bitten by a dog or a cat, go immediately to the nearest Animal Bite and Treatment Center and get vaccinated against rabies because ‘pagtatandok’ has no evidence that it will cure you,” he said.
The vaccination process is covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for its members, as long as the treatment is received at accredited Animal Bite and Treatment Centers.
Bobis also urged the public to focus on keeping pets healthy to protect families.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sigrid Agustin, a veterinary doctor from the Department of Agriculture-Field Office 1 (DA-FO 1), advised pet owners to be vigilant in observing their animals for unusual behavior such as aggressiveness, which may cause biting incidents.
“The most commonly known symptom of rabies is those that are drooling,” Dr. Agustin explained, outlining symptoms of rabies in animals, including excessive drooling in dogs.
According to him, free testing services for rabies are available at the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Services of the DA-FO 1 in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, with additional testing services available through provincial governments in Ilocos Norte and La Union.
“Don’t be afraid or shy to ask your local government unit so we can avail of the free vaccination, which is not only for our animals but also for the protection of our family,” he added.
With these initiatives, health experts hope to reduce the number of rabies-related deaths and encourage Filipinos to take the necessary steps to protect both their pets and their families. (AMB/REB/ABN, PIA Region 1)
