25 towns, 4 cities in Pangasinan declared high risk due to rabies

By Liezle Basa-Inigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Provincial Veterinary Office appealed to the public to help lessen the number of rabies cases in Pangasinan with the observance of National Rabies Awareness Month this March.

Report said 25 towns and four cities in Pangasinan were declared as high risk areas due to cases of rabies in these places.

The Provincial Veterinary Office is encouraging all pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated to avoid getting infected with rabies virus.

Likewise, the agency is urging to support the advocacy of attaining a rabies-free community.

The high risk areas include the towns of Agno, Aguilar, Alcala, Asingan, Balungao, Bani, Bautista, Bayambang, Binmaley, Bolinao, Calasiao, Lingayen, Mabini, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Natividad, Rosales, San Fabian, San Jacinto, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Sto. Tomas, Tayug and Urbiztondo, and the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos and Urdaneta.

This was based on the confirmed rabies cases recorded by the Provincial Veterinary Office for the year 2018.

Dr. Jovito Tabarejos, assistant provincial veterinarian, advised dog owners down at the barangay levels to subject their pets for vaccination, and to prevent dogs from straying in their community to protect people from any rabies infection from dogs.