Animal rabies patterns in Central Luzon, Philippines and implications for disease control
Issue Date
10-2014
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the animal rabies patterns in Central Luzon. Significant disease patterns were related to the current control measures against animal rabies. Government laboratory records in Central Luzon from 2002-2013 were used for this descriptive study. The twelve-year data compiled 9136 animal samples. The complete records of 2008-2013 showed that 89% of the samples came from dogs and 10% from cats but almost 98% of rabies cases were from dogs. Almost 40% of the rabid animals fall in the 1-4 mo age group. Incidence counts increase during the dry months of January to May. The animal rabies incidence (cases/100,000 dogs) declined by almost 87% from 52 in 2002 to 7 in 2013. Based on the above results, it is recommended that local rabies control officials consider the following issues: evaluation of the minimum age of three weeks for puppy immunization, strategic implementation of disease control programs from July to November before the months of high endemicity, adoption of a more sensitive disease detection system, securing the provinces of Aurora, Zambales and Bataan to maintain their disease freedom, prioritization of support to Bulacan for rabies control and verification of the actual dog population.
Source or Periodical Title
Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine
ISSN
0031-7705
Volume
51
Issue
2
Page
117-124
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
map, tables, graphs
Language
English
Subject
Central Luzon, Dog, Epidemiology, Philippines, Rabies
Recommended Citation
Domingo, R.D., & Mananggit, M.R. (2014). Animal Rabies Patterns in Central Luzon, Philippines, and the Implications for Disease Control. Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 51 (2), 117-124.
Digital Copy
yes
