06/12/2025
‼️RABIES KILLS — BUT IT’S 100% PREVENTABLE.‼️
News is circulating that a man recently died after contracting rabies from a dog bite. He went to an Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) but received only one dose of the vaccine and did not complete the full series. This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that rabies is fatal once symptoms appear — and incomplete treatment is not enough.
WHAT IS RABIES?
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but 100% preventable if medical care is sought immediately and vaccination is completed properly.
WHY EVEN SCRATCHES CAN TRANSMIT RABIES:
Rabies is usually transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva from an infected animal. While bites are the most common, scratches that break the skin can also allow the virus to enter the body — especially if the animal is rabid.
TYPES OF RABIES VACCINATION:
🟢 1. PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP)
A preventive vaccine given BEFORE any bite, scratch, or exposure to the rabies virus. Typically given in 3 doses.
Highly recommended for:
- Animal rescuers
- Stray animal feeders
- Veterinary staff and clinic personnel
- Animal shelter workers and volunteers
If you’ve had PrEP in the past and are bitten again, you still need booster shots. Go to a bite center immediately.
🟢 2. POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP)
A treatment given AFTER a bite, scratch, or any possible rabies exposure.
Usually consists of 4–5 doses over 14–28 days.
For high-risk cases, Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) may also be administered.
Start as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours.
If you’ve had PEP before, you may still need boosters for a new exposure. Always consult the ABTC.
‼️THE RABIES VACCINE IS NOT LIFETIME
Whether pre- or post-exposure, rabies vaccines have a validity period and do expire.
Check with the Animal Bite Treatment Center where you received the vaccine to know if you're still protected or need a booster.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A BITE OR SCRATCH:
Wash the wound immediately with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes.
Do not apply anything on the wound — no garlic, toothpaste, oil, or other traditional home remedies. These are not medically recommended and may worsen the wound.
‼️Go to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC).
‼️Do not delay. Do not self-medicate.
‼️Complete the full post-exposure vaccine series. One shot is not enough.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE BITING ANIMAL:
Do not kill the animal. It must be observed for 10 days.
If the animal remains healthy, the risk of rabies is lower — but the person bitten must still get treated.
WHAT TO DO IF THE BITING ANIMAL DIES:
Bring the dead animal to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) through their
Animal Disease Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory (ADDL) or
Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL).
This is the only way to confirm if the animal had rabies.
You can also seek advice from:
-City or Municipal Health Office
-City or Municipal Veterinary Office
-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
-Department of Health (DOH) – for human rabies cases and guidelines
PET OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT:
Even if you’re bitten by your own pet, you should still go to a bite center and be evaluated for post-exposure prophylaxis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), any person bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal — regardless of ownership or vaccination status — should seek immediate medical attention and PEP.
Do not assume you're safe just because the pet is yours or is vaccinated.
‼️Vaccinate your pets annually against rabies.
While rabies vaccination is highly effective, it does not guarantee 100% protection.
Any bite must still be taken seriously.
‼️Rabies has no cure once symptoms appear — but it is entirely preventable.
‼️Always go to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center. Your life could depend on it.
‼️RABIES KILLS — BUT IT’S 100% PREVENTABLE.‼️
News is circulating that a man recently died after contracting rabies from a dog bite. He went to an Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) but received only one dose of the vaccine and did not complete the full series. This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that rabies is fatal once symptoms appear — and incomplete treatment is not enough.
👉 Warning sensitive content. The video contains distressing footage of the rabies patient. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16RVm2KUsU/
WHAT IS RABIES?
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but 100% preventable if medical care is sought immediately and vaccination is completed properly.
WHY EVEN SCRATCHES CAN TRANSMIT RABIES:
Rabies is usually transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva from an infected animal. While bites are the most common, scratches that break the skin can also allow the virus to enter the body — especially if the animal is rabid.
TYPES OF RABIES VACCINATION:
🟢 1. PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP)
A preventive vaccine given BEFORE any bite, scratch, or exposure to the rabies virus. Typically given in 3 doses.
Highly recommended for:
- Animal rescuers
- Stray animal feeders
- Veterinary staff and clinic personnel
- Animal shelter workers and volunteers
If you’ve had PrEP in the past and are bitten again, you still need booster shots. Go to a bite center immediately.
🟢 2. POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP)
A treatment given AFTER a bite, scratch, or any possible rabies exposure.
Usually consists of 4–5 doses over 14–28 days.
For high-risk cases, Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) may also be administered.
Start as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours.
If you’ve had PEP before, you may still need boosters for a new exposure. Always consult the ABTC.
‼️THE RABIES VACCINE IS NOT LIFETIME
Whether pre- or post-exposure, rabies vaccines have a validity period and do expire.
Check with the Animal Bite Treatment Center where you received the vaccine to know if you're still protected or need a booster.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A BITE OR SCRATCH:
Wash the wound immediately with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes.
Do not apply anything on the wound — no garlic, toothpaste, oil, or other traditional home remedies. These are not medically recommended and may worsen the wound.
‼️Go to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC).
‼️Do not delay. Do not self-medicate.
‼️Complete the full post-exposure vaccine series. One shot is not enough.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE BITING ANIMAL:
Do not kill the animal. It must be observed for 10 days.
If the animal remains healthy, the risk of rabies is lower — but the person bitten must still get treated.
WHAT TO DO IF THE BITING ANIMAL DIES:
Bring the dead animal to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) through their
Animal Disease Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory (ADDL) or
Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL).
This is the only way to confirm if the animal had rabies.
You can also seek advice from:
-City or Municipal Health Office
-City or Municipal Veterinary Office
-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
-Department of Health (DOH) – for human rabies cases and guidelines
PET OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT:
Even if you’re bitten by your own pet, you should still go to a bite center and be evaluated for post-exposure prophylaxis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), any person bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal — regardless of ownership or vaccination status — should seek immediate medical attention and PEP.
Do not assume you're safe just because the pet is yours or is vaccinated.
‼️Vaccinate your pets annually against rabies.
While rabies vaccination is highly effective, it does not guarantee 100% protection.
Any bite must still be taken seriously.
‼️Rabies has no cure once symptoms appear — but it is entirely preventable.
‼️Always go to the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center. Your life could depend on it.
