DOH urges annual pet vaccination amid rabies surge

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the increase in rabies deaths is due to a large number of stray dogs in the country, urging pet owners to vaccinate their pets annually.

Herbosa reminded pet owners and LGUs about their responsibilities: pet owners should ensure their animals are vaccinated while LGUs must manage stray animal vaccinations as per the Animal Welfare Act of 2007.

San Lazaro Hospital has seen a surge in rabies cases over the past two weeks, with at least 2,000 patients daily for the past week, emphasizing the need for preventive measures and responsible pet ownership.

DOH logged 426 rabies-related deaths in 2024, all of which were fatal once symptoms appeared; however, data from the DOH shows that rabies cases have decreased by 32 percent in 2025 compared to last year.

Rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva from an infected animal if it comes into contact with wounds, eyes, nose, or mouth, underlining the importance of preventive measures and responsible pet ownership.