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Siquijor Declared Rabies-Free Province

Feature: Siquijor declared as rabies-free province

2008/10/23

PIA Press Release

by Federico Ada Jr

Province of Siquijor (23 October) -- The only province in the entire country to be officially declared rabies free, Siquijor had gone a long hard way to reach its goal. Envisioned by Dr. Jose F. Quitazol, veterinarian and formerly the Provincial Agricultural Officer in Siquijor, he was very optimistic rabies disease could be eradicated in the province. And the road map was drawn.

Dr. J. Quitazol strengthened the disease surveillance and quarantine system in the province while he batted for more share of the vaccines. He initiated the first island-wide vaccination campaign against rabies mobilizing government veterinarians from Cebu and student veterinary clinicians from South Western University, Cebu City.

The road he walked into was not without resistance and frustrations but Doc JQ as he is fondly named never gave up. As he worked each day, he could see "the light at the end of the tunnel getting brighter." Although he retired from the service before he could reap the fruits of his works, it is fortunate that those who came after him followed the path he started with the same enthusiasm.

The size and geographical situation of Siquijor make it comparatively easier to stamp out the disease than in other provinces.

Rabies is a viral zoonotic neuroinvasive disease transmitted through saliva on abraded skin, mucosa or bite wounds of rabid animals usually dogs and cats. Dogs account the highest source of rabies incidence in humans because of their traditionally closer association. In Siquijor province, records show that in ten years not a single case of rabies was diagnosed either from animals or humans. Brain samples from dogs are sent regularly for laboratory examination to monitor disease presence. A dreadful disease, victims face "death sentence" if medical treatment is not given promptly.

Keeping up a rabies free Siquijor is a tall order – a challenge of even greater heights. The pronouncement by the committee on national rabies control declaring the province as such must be defended and sustained. Siquijor must prove it is worthy of the laurels and praises she received. The province must remain vigilant. Effective quarantine measures and a well informed community are the true vanguard against the disease. These could well be done only if the dynamics on management and leadership by the local government units are fundamentally sound.

September 24, 2008 is, indeed, a day to remember. It is a day Siquijor province was declared rabies free... a day the province wrote its own history and a day Siquijor soar even higher! (PIA)