Rabies treatment in LGUs: How to get help after an animal bite

Rabies is a deadly disease, but according to experts, it is also 100% preventable. 

The World Health Organization, which calls rabies a serious public health issue, also says that ninety-nine percent of rabies cases among humans are caused by dog bites and scratches.

Despite this, there are still those who underestimate the dangers of animal bites and fail to seek proper medical help after getting bitten.

According to Dr. Menchita Celestra, a municipal health official from Teresa, Rizal, budgetary constraints are among the reasons that hold patients back from seeking help, thinking they are only available at private clinics.

She hopes to inform more people that unlike ten years ago, there has already been a huge improvement in making rabies vaccination accessible through animal bite treatment centers under the Department of Health.

“Very accessible na ang animal bite treatment clinic kasi even private clinics [ay] nagpapa-accredit sila sa Department of Health para sila ay makapagbigay din ng services,” she said.

In the small town of Teresa, aside from the municipal health center, there are also three more private animal bite treatment centers.

“Talagang distributed na sa community, marami,” she said.

How to seek help from local health centers

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, make sure to wash the wound first with soap and running water before heading to the nearest health center or Animal Bite Treatment Center. You may view the Department of Health's list of Animal Bite Treatment Centers nationwide here for reference.

Inside the health center, there are signages about where to have yourself listed and evaluated for the vaccine.

According to Dr. Celestra, exposures are classified into three categories:

• Category 1: Superficial scratch or licking on skin  
• Category 2: Deeper wounds or broken skin that has been licked
• Category 3: Bites on the face, neck, or upper body, no matter the size  

“We give vaccines on Day 0. If you are bitten today, today is your Day 0,” Dr. Celestra said, adding that the following doses are given on Days 3, 7, and 14.

For Category 3 bites, an additional dose is given for a fifth schedule, which extends treatment to over a month.  

Patients are asked to fill out an information sheet and are given vaccination cards that have their immunization schedule.

“Importante [ay] babalik ka on the scheduled immunization day mo. Kailangan compliant ka,” she said.

Photo: Carby Rose Basina/GMA Integrated News

Is rabies treatment free?

For PhilHealth members, the insurance system will cover the cost for them.

“Rabies vaccine is very costly and our local government unit cannot afford to buy the required—annual requirement natin. So nakakabili kami, konti lang,” Dr. Celestra said.

Meanwhile, for Category 1 and 2 cases, patients may need to shoulder part of the cost.

“Siyempre ‘pag citizen natin, nabibigyan namin ng one free dose,” she said, but the following shots are often paid for by the patient.

One bottle costs around P1,300 and can vaccinate five persons, so patients usually just share the cost.

However, pricing may differ from one health center to another, as there are other local government units that can afford to cover the entire treatment costs for residents.

Again, Dr. Celestra highlighted how dangerous animal bites can be, so these must not be taken lightly. 

In 2024 alone, the DOH recorded 426 rabies-related deaths. Forty-five percent of these cases resulted from bites or exposure to domestic pets.

While bites on the upper body are treated more cautiously as they are closer to the brain, all bites must be given proper attention, may it be a small one on the foot or on the leg.

“Walang difference kung saan ang location. Once na rabied ‘yung nakakagat sa ‘yo na aso, magma-manifest 'yung illness after ng incubation period, lalabas ‘yung symptoms, so walang pinipili kung saang part," said Dr. Celestra.

For pet owners, make sure that your furry friends receive anti-rabies shots, which are also given for free by LGUs.

“So far naman, wala tayong nakikitang mga rabies cases [sa Teresa], but still we have to give the vaccine kapag na-bite kasi hindi naman tayo sigurado,” she said.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News