Abstract
Incidence of Dog Bites and Rabies Infection in Ozamiz City, Philippines
Jycelle Anne H. Abcede1, Nojin John S. Agnas1, Cherrie May R. Aliño1, Cherry Mae C. Amaquin1, Kristine C. Dandan1, Jezreel Marc E. Pasay2, Marie Rosellynn C. Enguito3
The incidence of dog bites is the primary cause of the transmission of the
rabies virus, which has been a serious health and welfare issue in the
Philippines for many years. Hence, the Philippine government aims to
eliminate the problem of rabies infection by 2020. This study aimed to
investigate the incidence of dog bites and rabies infection in Ozamiz City,
Philippines. A documentary analysis of medical records obtained from the City
Health Office and the hospitals in the city was carried out. There were 3,608
cases of dog bites recorded from January 2013 to June 2015. A relative
increase of dog bites was noted in 2014. Monthly distribution of the incidence
of dog bites showed that most cases occurred in May (426 cases) which was
followed by April (408 cases). Incidence of dog bites started to drop from June
to December. The predominance of male victims in this study was consistent
for two and a half years. Adults were more frequently victims of a dog bite.
Five fatalities were recorded for the period covered due to rabies with three
deaths in 2013 and one in each of the years 2014 and 2015. The data will
contribute to the growing literature on the occurrence of dog bites and rabies
cases for possible interventions by the local government.
KEYWORDS: health, hospitals, male, virus, transmission
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