Discussing ways on how to prevent animal-bites and the spread of rabies in the community

1. March: Rabies Awareness Month
Theme: End Rabies, Now Na!

3. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• Rabies is caused by
a virus that infects
the central nervous
system. A patient
may die within three
to five days.

4. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• Rabies accounts for
about 55,000 deaths
worldwide every year,
and majority of the
fatalities are children.
In the Philippines, the
disease is responsible
for the death of 200 to
300 Filipinos annually.

5. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• Rabies cases are usually higher in the
Philippines during summer, when children spend
more time playing outdoors.
• There are two ways that a person can get the
rabies virus – through the bite of a rabid animal
such as a dog, and by inhalation. The latter
occurs only in special circumstances, such as
when the patient is inside a laboratory.

6. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• Here are some signs that you may have rabies:
– anxiety, stress and tension
– delirium
– drooling
– convulsions
– exaggerated sensation at the bite site
– Hallucinations
– loss of feeling in an area of the body
– loss of muscle function

7. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
– low-grade fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit or lower)
– muscle spasms
– numbness and tingling
– pain at the side of the bite
– Restlessness
– Insomnia
– swallowing difficulty

8. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• Rabies cannot be cured, but it is
preventable. There are two ways to
prevent this disease – by vaccinating
dogs, and by vaccinating humans.
Traditional healers’ approaches to treating
rabies have no scientific basis.

9. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• When bitten by stray animals who may
have rabies, do the following:
1) immediately wash the bite with soap and
clean water. Antiseptics may be applied.
2) Consult a physician or go to your nearest
animal bite center for immunization
3) Consult a veterinarian for the management of
the biting dog.

10. Quick Facts About Rabies:
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/
• The DOH is targeting a rabies-free
Philippines by 2020 mainly through the
vaccination of all dogs in the country.