A 51-year-old man from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, has succumbed to rabies nearly two months after being bitten by a cat. The incident, as reported on “Saksi”, highlights the severe consequences of neglecting proper medical treatment following animal bites.
Arnel Marcos, the victim, was bitten on October 28, 2023. His wife, Malou Marcos, stated that he chose self-medication over seeking medical advice, initially treating the wound with papaya extract. It wasn’t until five days later, on November 2, that he received an anti-rabies vaccination and antibiotics at a hospital.
Despite receiving medical care, Marcos’ condition deteriorated over the following month. He complained of weakness and failed to adhere to the schedule for follow-up check-ups. His fear of water, a symptom known as hydrophobia, was a significant sign of the advanced stages of rabies. Unfortunately, despite being brought back to the hospital, Marcos passed away last Friday and was promptly buried.
In a similar case, a 17-year-old boy from Pototan town in Iloilo also died of rabies. He exhibited symptoms like difficulty in breathing, hydrophobia, sensitivity to light, and aggressive behavior. Following his death on January 4, nearly 100 people who had close contact with him were vaccinated against rabies.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 368 rabies cases in 2023, marking a 6% decrease from the 391 cases in 2022. The DOH urges the public to apply a disinfectant such as alcohol or iodine solution to any animal bites immediately, seek medical consultation, and undergo vaccination. It’s also advised to monitor the biting animal for 14 days for any signs of rabies, with euthanasia and laboratory testing recommended if symptoms develop.