TACLOBAN CITY-To spread awareness about rabies, a fatal yet preventable viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, the Tacloban City Veterinary Office (CVO) recently kicked off its information education and communication (IEC) campaign in public elementary schools for the month of May.
Personnel from the CVO have so far visited Rizal Central, RTR Elementary School, and Sto. Niño SPED Center on May 9, 11, and 16, respectively, to conduct talks with schoolchildren.
CVO Chief Dr. Eunice Alcantara said that the campaign aims to educate them on animal rabies disease and how it can be prevented as part of its rabies elimination and control program.
The virus enters the body through a rabid animal’s bite and targets the nerve system of the victim, causing intense anxiety, agitation, and dread of water, and eventually death.
According to information from the World Health Organization, dogs account for up to 99% of all human rabies transmissions and are the primary cause of rabies-related mortality. Dog vaccinations and avoiding dog bites are two ways to prevent rabies.
The CVO team is set to visit four more schools this month for the IEC campaign, namely Kapangi-an Central School (May 18), San Fernando Central School (May 23), Panalaron Central School (May 25), and City Central School (May 30).
Meanwhile, dog anti-rabies vaccinations spearheaded by the CVO are still ongoing in city barangays for the whole month.
(TACLOBAN CITY GOVERNMENT)
