September 28, 2021, National Nutrition Council Region XII joins the awareness activity on World Rabies Day with a theme: “Rabies: Facts, not fears.” World Rabies Day is the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. It is an opportunity to unite as a community and for individuals, NGOs and governments to connect and share their work it also focuses on rabies endemic countries, to increase community awareness of the disease and its prevention. World Rabies Day also raises the profile of national and local control programs and acts as a springboard for year-round capacity building and awareness.
Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccinations for protection.
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu and may last for days. Patient shall experience Nausea, Vomiting, Agitation, Anxiety, Hallucinations and Partial paralysis
In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes. This could occur if an infected animal were to lick an open cut on your skin.
To prevent risk of getting rabies, it is recommended to vaccinate your pets, keep your pets confined, report stray animals to local authorities, don't approach wild animals, keep bats out of your home and consider the rabies vaccine if you're traveling.
As we usher the era of Universal Health Care, the Department of Health along with National Nutrition Council and other department and agencies has been very consistent in encouraging every Filipinos in combating rabies and strengthen service delivery through consistency in implementation of the program. And as children are the most vulnerable to bites, let us involve ourselves in following the tips to avoid rabies.
Together, let us reach for a rabies-free Philippines.(KLM/AMF)
