Rabies patients at San Lazaro Hospital surge to 3,000 daily

Handling nearly four times its capacity for such cases, the San Lazaro Hospital in the City of Manila has been recently inundated with some 3,000 patients daily who have been lining up for anti-rabies vaccinations amid the summer season.

Amid the deluge of patients, San Lazaro Hospital has appealed to various local government units to open their respective animal bite centers so appropriate medical care can be provided in other locations.

According to Raffy Tima's report Tuesday on 24 Oras, non-residents of Manila City have also been flocking to San Lazaro Hospital to be vaccinated against rabies, a virus that may spread from the bite and scratches of a rabid animal.

David Suplico, officer-in-charge of the San Lazaro Medical Services, said that the number of people getting free vaccination from the state-run hospital this year was "sobrang (very) unusual" as the facility can only attend to 800 patients daily.

San Lazaro Hospital already had its hands full last April, attending to some 1,800 to 2,000 patients per day seeking anti-rabies vaccination.

"Umaapela po ako sa ating mga local government units na sana po 'yung kanilang animal bite treatment center ay handa po sa pag-surge ng pasyente po ngayon. Dapat po sila ay mayroong mga gamot para po [sa] anti-rabies," said Suplico.

(I'm appealing to our local government units to open up their animal bite centers and be ready to handle a surge in patients. They should have their own supply of medicines for rabies.)

According to the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anti-rabies shots must be administered in four doses after exposure. Rabies affects the central nervous system if left untreated. The CDC said that the incubation period may last for weeks to months depending on the exposure site.

A patient named "Mia" went to the San Lazaro Hospital after she was bitten by her pet dog. She started feeling worried after feeling pain on her left arm. Then, her pet dog died on Monday, prompting her to seek medical treatment.

Asked if she had paid attention to her dog bite earlier, she replied: "Hindi po. Kasi akala ko lang naman po normal scratch lang po (No, I thought it was just a normal scratch)."

Aside from the San Lazaro Hospital, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City and the Amang Rodriguez Hospital in Marikina City are also offering free anti-rabies vaccines.

According to the 24 Oras report on Tuesday, Amang Rodriguez Hospital has also been handling a high volume of rabies patients these past days.

The Department of Agriculture said last month that it would request P110 million from Congress to vaccinate 22 million dogs, with the hope that this would eradicate rabies in the country. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VDV, GMA Integrated News