MAYOR GO LAUNCHES ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN

Mayor Dennis Norman Tañedo Go has ordered the purchase of vaccine for the anti-rabies campaign project to augment the limited number of vaccines coming from the national government.

Records from the municipal agrarian reform office revealed that 2,754 dogs had been vaccinated in 22 barangays since the campaign became full blast last April 7.

The barangays that were given free vaccination were: Mabini, San Bartolome, Sembrano, Santiago, Calayaan, Padapada, San Agustin, Quezon, Tangcaran, Sulipa, San Jose, New Salem, Tagumbao, Carbonel, Matayuncab, Cardona, Parsolingan, Buenlag, San Antonio, Amacalan, Villa Paz and Matapitap.

At the same time, Dr. Abner Lagade, rural health unit II medical officer, denied reports that Gerona had topped the list of municipalities in the province in terms of deaths due to rabies.

Lagade said only two persons out of 21 reported dog bites in the municipality died due to rabies in 2007.

From January to May of this year, there were 21 dog bites reported to the local RHU but with zero incidence of death.

“But the municipality is not putting its guard down.”

In fact, Gerona has launched its anti-rabies campaign in April and May in its effort to have the municipality a rabies-free municipality side by side with the “summer cut” program and tax campaign at the barangay level.

Lagade warned local residents that rabies is a fatal disease that affect the central nervous system and the brain.

“One of the most distinctive signs of rabies infection is a tingling or twitching sensation around bitten part accompanied by a fever, headache, muscle ache, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue,” Lagade said.

If bitten by an animal, Lagade advises the public to wash the bite area with soap and water for 10 minutes and cover the bite with a clean bandage.

The victim should be brought to the doctor immediately, he said.