‘41 animals test positive of Rabies in 2025, 7 were cats. Isu nga pati pusa ket maipabakuna’ - Kalinga OPVET

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A total of 41 rabies samples from Kalinga tested positive in 2025, with the majority of cases coming from Tabuk City, according to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) .

Dr. Karl Oyando of the OPVET revealed the figures on March 2, as the province observes National Rabies Awareness Month this March. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of rabies, a disease that accounts for 200 to 300 deaths annually, according to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

Citing PVET records, Oyando said that 94 suspected rabies samples were sent for laboratory confirmation last year, and 41 were confirmed positive. Of these, 30 cases were from Tabuk City, 9 from Pinukpuk, and 2 from Balbalan.

Oyando also noted that 7 of the confirmed cases involved cats, while the remainder were dogs. He emphasized that rabies is not limited to dogs and that cats can also be carriers of the virus.

“Isu nga pati pusa ket maipabakuna,” he reminded the public.

In line with Rabies Awareness Month, the PVET is offering free veterinary services throughout March. These include anti-rabies vaccination, free consultations and treatments, deworming and vitamin supplementation, and spay and neuter services for dogs and cats. The public is encouraged to visit the PVET office at the Department of Agriculture Compound in Block 3, Bulanao to avail of these services.