Declaration of Policies
- Policies are based on key laws including Republic Act 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007), BA Memorandum of Agreement (1991), and Executive Order No. 84 among others.
- International standards such as those from WHO and OIE are incorporated.
- Frameworks for integrated disease surveillance and health system reforms guide implementation.
Goals and Objectives
- Goal: Declare the Philippines rabies-free by 2020.
- General objectives include declaring and maintaining rabies-free zones across provinces, cities, municipalities, and islands.
- Specific objectives focus on identification, technical assistance, and validation of rabies-free status.
Scope and Coverage
- Applies to all sectors including public, private, national and local agencies, NGOs, POs, and community members involved in rabies control.
Definition of Terms
- Definitions provided for key concepts such as Animal Birth Control, Dog Ecology, Impounding, Rabies-Free Zone/Area, Provisional Rabies-Free Zone/Area, National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, Veterinary Groups, Dog Bite, and Responsible Pet Ownership.
Implementing Guidelines for Declaring Rabies-Free Zones
- Rabies as a notifiable disease requires prompt reporting by LGUs.
- Declaration requires zero indigenous rabies cases in humans and animals in the past two years supported by effective surveillance.
- Regulatory measures on rabies prevention, control, and transport protocols must be implemented.
- Accessibility and availability of post-exposure treatments and vaccinations are mandatory.
- Health education and community advocacy, especially integrating rabies prevention in schools, are essential.
General Requirements for Rabies-Free Zone Declaration
- Existence of local ordinances and comprehensive rabies control programs.
- Animal rabies requirements include zero cases for two years, an active vaccination program, laboratory surveillance, control of stray dogs, and effective dog movement controls.
- Human rabies requirements include zero cases for two years, functional surveillance and referral systems, staff trained in rabies investigation, and immediate response capacity for outbreaks.
- Post-exposure treatment availability and ongoing health education efforts are critical.
Recovery Process
- Any rabies incursion must be reported and investigated immediately.
- Control measures such as mass vaccination, surveillance, and movement control must be promptly executed.
- Status re-evaluation occurs six months after the last vaccination.
- Restoration of rabies-free status is documented jointly by the DA and DOH secretaries.
Implementing Mechanism to Sustain Rabies-Free Zones
- Governors, Mayors, and Barangay Officials are responsible for implementation and local cooperation.
- Rabies Control Committees at various levels oversee program implementation.
- Regional DA and DOH committees supervise monitoring and evaluation.
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories conduct routine animal surveillance and reporting.
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Units manage human rabies surveillance and reporting.
- Various national agencies provide resources, technical support, vaccines, and education materials.
- Joint periodic monitoring ensures sustained compliance.
Repealing Clause
- Previous manuals, committee orders, and inconsistent issuances related to national rabies control are rescinded.
Effectivity
- The guidelines take immediate effect from adoption on March 10, 2008, under the signatures of the Secretaries of Health and Agriculture.