BOAC, Marinduque (PIA) — In a relentless house-to-house campaign, Marinduque’s Provincial Veterinary Office (PROVET) has turned the tide against rabies, dramatically slashing infection rates through widespread vaccinations.
This boots-on-the-ground approach, reaching both pets and stray animals, is the cornerstone of the province’s success in curbing a once-rampant public health threat.
Dr. Josue M. Victoria, the provincial veterinarian, credits the proactive strategy for the remarkable decline in rabies cases.
“A major reason for the decline in rabies cases is PROVET’s initiative to conduct house-to-house campaigns, where we administer anti-rabies vaccines to both pets and stray animals,” he said.
The numbers speak for themselves. From 226 rabies cases in 2023, the figure plummeted to 83 in 2024. As of March 2025, only two cases have been reported, demonstrating the campaign’s effectiveness.
Victoria clarifies that rabies is not inherited, but rather contracted through bites from infected animals, often through contaminated food or unsanitary environments. Recognizing this, PROVET focused on direct intervention, bringing vaccinations to every doorstep.
While the house-to-house strategy has proven effective, challenges remain. The large population of stray dogs, particularly in Boac, where 62 percent of the estimated 8,000 dogs roam freely, continues to be a concern.
The province’s current success stands in stark contrast to a devastating rabies outbreak from 1992 to 2002, which claimed the lives of seven to 12 people annually. That crisis spurred the provincial government to launch an earlier intensive vaccination drive, laying the groundwork for today’s proactive approach.
Building on that foundation, PROVET’s current house-to-house campaign is a testament to the power of direct intervention, ensuring the safety of both animals and residents in Marinduque. Alongside neutering initiatives and ongoing public education, the province is committed to maintaining its rabies-free momentum. (DN/AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Marinduque)
