Free anti-rabies vacs on in Bontoc

By Alpine Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist here urged the public to be responsible pet owners and get their pets vaccinated with anti-rabies and provide them with proper food and shelter.
    Municipal assistant department head Catherine Agcon of OMAg made this announcement during municipal peace and order council meeting March 16 at Barangay Caneo. 
    Agcon said the Bontoc local government Unit through OMAg and provincial government through Office of the Provincial Veterinarian  and Feed-Tech have been going around the barangays this March for  free anti-rabies vaccination to dogs and cats. 
    A total of 905 pets were vaccinated with anti-rabies with 162 in Barangay Talubin; 222, Caluttit; 64, Gonogon; 282, Bontoc Ili and 173 dogs and two cats in Poblacion. 
    Agcon said free anti-rabies vaccination is still ongoing,. She urged pet owners who did not have their pets vaccinated to avail of the same when personnel from the OMAg, OPVet, and Feed-Tech visit their barangays. Also, they may bring their pets personally to the OPVet or the OMAg for the free –rabies vaccination. 
    She said Bontoc had been rabies-free for 12 years. However, one confirmed rabies case was recorded last March 11 in Talubin. 
     According to World Health Organization, rabies is a very dangerous virus that causes brain inflammation in humans and other mammals. Animals carrying the infection can spread rabies to humans through bites and scratches.
    Without treatment, the disease can be fatal. However, it is treatable if a person who has had exposure to rabies seeks immediate medical attention. 
    Rabies Awareness Month is observed here per executive order 84, series of 1999,” Declaring March as the Rabies Awareness Month.