"But that is not where it ends", hints Provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.
"We can not claim yet that we are rabies free," underscoring that a lot of work needs to be done.
The aim to eradicate rabies in
Bohol seemed impossible especially when the province topped the national rabies watch-list in 2007, dragging the entire region with it, points Dr. Lapiz.
Wanting to plant the tourism destination flag in the country just does not go well with the reports that a widely preventable rabies with its teeth bared lurking in the corner, reiterates a member of the multi-sectoral
Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC), in a separate talk.
"We have accomplished the target of vaccinating 70% of our dog population during our second round of inoculations, but we still have to see the results" Dr, Lapiz explains during the weekly The Governor Reports.
70% of dog population vaccinated is a universally pegged safe standard, but it is not acceptable for Bohol authorities who want a full assurance that rabies has become a non-threat.
Thanking the popular support of local governments, animal and livestock technicians and barangay livestock workers, pet owners and international funding agencies, Dr. Lapiz reported that the concerted efforts has made Bohol without a rabies case to worry to date.
Dr. Lapiz said Bohol has tested negative despite the 49 dog head samples sent to the regional laboratories for rabies examination.
There has never been reported human rabies too, she added despite biting incidents here.
Over the development, the diminutive veterinarian asked people to report to the municipal monitors any case of sudden dog deaths to quickly isolate cases, if there are.
BRPEC council appoints Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO) as contact persons authorized to forward reports of possible rabies-related incidents.
The MAO reports would be basis for the BRPEC to send in trained people who could properly harvest and collect dog head samples for laboratory testing. (PIA)
