Communities urged to stay vigilant with ready action, vaccines against MPox and rabies

 By Nimfa L. Estrellado  Senator Bong Go LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, is remind...

 By Nimfa L. Estrellado 

Senator Bong Go

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, is reminding Filipinos to remain vigilant against the threats of rabies and the rising cases of MPox (monkeypox) across various parts of the country. His call underscores the critical need for communities to maintain preparedness through readily available action plans and robust vaccination efforts.

Senator Go emphasized that rabies cannot be ignored. He stated that while casesr may have decreased, the disease remains 100% fatal if treatment is delayed. "We cannot afford to take rabies lightly. Even a single death from rabies is one too many, given that it is entirely preventable," he warned. 



The Department of Health (DOH) reported 426 rabies-related deaths in 2024, a significant increase from 235 cases in 2020, nearly doubling within four years. Of these, 193 cases, or 45%, were caused by bites or exposure to domestic pets, with 41% of cases linked to unvaccinated animals, and another 56% from animals with uncertain vaccination status.

However, he stressed that this shouldn't lead to complacency, "While the detected strain in our country might not be as severe, it doesn't mean we can let our guard down," he said, highlighting the importance of personal care, especially in areas with reported cases. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained its highest alert level for MPox due to rising global cases, including in the Philippines. From January 2024 to May 2025, the DOH reported a total of 911 MPox cases, although they have noted a decline in cases on a year-on-year and monthly basis in 2025. The DOH continually reminds the public that MPox is primarily transmitted through close, intimate physical contact, including sexual contact, and not typically through airborne means.

Go advised that anyone bitten by a dog or experiencing MPox symptoms, such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, should seek immediate medical consultation. The DOH, through its National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, provides post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) nationwide.

For MPox, while there is currently no FDA-approved vaccine in the Philippines, health authorities are focusing on early detection, isolation of cases, and intensified information, education, and communication campaigns at the local government unit level to prevent further spread and ensure timely medical management.