CAGAYAN de Oro City — A bite or scratch from an animal should not be treated at home alone, as the Department of Health in Northern Mindanao is reminding the public that quick medical attention can prevent rabies from becoming fatal. 

Dr. John Daniel Estandarte, medical officer III of the DOH NorthMin Infectious Diseases Cluster, urged people exposed to potentially infected animals to wash the wound immediately and seek treatment at an accredited Animal Bite Treatment Center. 

“Wash with soap and water, diretso na dayon ka sa mga Animal Bite Treatment Center,” Estandarte said during the Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series on Sept. 4 at SM CDO Uptown. 

What to do after a bite 

DOH advises people with animal bite or scratch wounds to:

Wash the wound with soap and running water for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Go immediately to an Animal Bite Treatment Center for assessment. 

Follow the recommended post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment schedule. 

Avoid relying on unverified traditional remedies such as pagtatandok or wound suctioning in place of medical care. 

Estandarte said dogs account for 95% to 99% of human rabies cases, making prompt assessment important after exposure. 

He also said bites or scratches involving the head and neck are considered particularly high-risk because the rabies virus attacks the nervous system. 

Injuries to highly innervated areas such as the hands and face also require prompt medical assessment. 

“Ang gina-atake sa rabies virus kay ang utok, [anywhere] above the neck, mao na siya ang high risk kaayo,” Estandarte said. 

Don’t stop treatment early 

People who have already started PEP but missed a scheduled dose or failed to complete the recommended treatment should return to an accredited Animal Bite Treatment Center, Estandarte said. 

Health workers can assess the person’s exposure and provide guidance on the next steps. 

The DOH continues to train health workers and accredit Animal Bite Treatment Centers to improve access to PEP in Northern Mindanao. 

It also works with the Bureau of Animal Industry and local partners on mass pet vaccination and responsible pet ownership to help prevent rabies transmission. 

Rabies is preventable through timely post-exposure care, but once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. (With a report Rushen Mae N. Dacera of PIA-10)