Question & AnswerQ&A (BAI JOINT DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 01)
The main goal is to declare the Philippines as a Rabies-Free Country by 2020.
A Rabies-Free Zone/Area refers to an area with no confirmed human or animal rabies case, dog bites, or indigenously acquired infection by a lyssavirus at any time during the previous two years, in the presence of an adequate surveillance system and import policy, and satisfying all criteria for rabies-free zone declaration.
The operational guidelines are guided by, among others, Republic Act 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007), Memorandum of Agreement of May 8, 1991, Executive Order No. 84, Batas Pambansa Blg. 97, WHO Technical Report Series 931, DOH Administrative Orders No. 2005-0023 and 2007-0036.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), People's Organizations (POs), and the academe.
No confirmed human or animal rabies cases, dog bites, or indigenously acquired infection by a lyssavirus for at least two (2) years.
No animal cases of rabies confirmed for two years, a comprehensive vaccination program for at least two years, an operational laboratory-based surveillance system, enforcement of stray dog control, dog movement control measures, and an established Animal Birth Control program.
No human cases of rabies confirmed for two years, an adequate surveillance system with monthly zero-case reporting, prompt case investigation capability, accessible post-exposure treatment with vaccines and immunoglobulins, and health education including school curriculum integration.
Local governments must enact ordinances on rabies control, implement comprehensive rabies prevention programs, allocate funds for vaccines, enforce dog movement restrictions, maintain registries of dogs, and support the Bantay Rabis sa Barangay program.
The Department of Education assists in developing health information and education materials for school children and supports the integration of rabies prevention and control in the elementary school curriculum.
The local government must declare an outbreak, conduct immediate investigation and comprehensive control responses such as mass vaccination, surveillance, dog movement control, and information campaigns, with re-evaluation of status six months after the last vaccination.