DOH: Rabies cases drop 32%, fatality rate remains at 100%

Rabies cases in the Philippines declined by 32 percent as of May 17, 2025, compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Health.

Central Luzon had the highest number of rabies cases with 21 reported incidents, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 15 and Calabarzon with 12 cases.

Department of Health Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo emphasized that even though the number of cases is low, the fatality rate remains at 100 percent if symptoms develop after a bite from an infected animal.

Domingo urged pet owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies and advised parents to supervise children around pets to prevent bites.

Some hospitals offer free anti-rabies shots, such as San Lorenzo Hospital in Santa Cruz, Manila; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa; and the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina.

PhilHealth also offers an animal bite treatment package for P5,850, which includes anti-rabies vaccine, anti-tetanus vaccine, and local wound care.