PhilHealth animal bite package covers P5.8-K in services

About 193 or 45 percent of these were bites from domestic pets, and of that tally, more than half were of unknown vaccination status. (Pexels Photo)

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Tuesday reminded the public to avail of its increased animal bite treatment (ABT) package as the Department of Health (DOH) reported a 100 percent fatality rate for rabies cases.

According to the DOH, the country recorded 426 rabies cases, which resulted in deaths in 2024.

About 193 or 45 percent of these were bites from domestic pets, and of that tally, more than half were of unknown vaccination status.

From 2020 to 2024, a total of 1,750 patients died due to rabies.

“Hinihikayat natin ang ating mga miyembro na huwag mag-atubiling magpatingin kung sila ay kinagat o di kaya’y kinalmot ng hayop, alaga man o hindi (We encourage our members to consult a doctor when bitten or scratched by their pets or other animals),” PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado said.

“Ang rabies ay isang lubhang nakamamatay na sakit ngunit maaari itong maiwasan kung agarang mabibigyan ng bakuna (Rabies is a deadly disease but it can be prevented through vaccination),” he added.

PhilHealth’s ABT package has been raised from PHP3,000 to PHP5,850.

It covers essential post-exposure prophylaxis, including rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin for immediate protection, local wound care, tetanus toxoid and anti-tetanus serum, and antibiotics. It also covers supplies, such as syringes, alcohol, and antiseptics.

Rabies is a viral disease that comes from the saliva of infected animals and spreads through bites, scratches, or other contact (eyes, mouth, nose, and wound) with the saliva of an infected animal.

Its symptoms include fever, weakness, swelling of wound, fear of air and water, confusion, paralysis, and swelling of the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms may show two to three months after exposure to rabies. In some cases, symptoms may arise in a few weeks or as long as one year after exposure, depending on the amount of virus that entered the individual’s body.

Rabies causes 60,000 to 70,000 reported deaths annually. The Philippines ranks sixth among countries with the highest rabies incidence.

“Ang ABT Package ay maaaring makuha sa higit 700 accredited ABT Package Providers sa bansa, at patuloy pa natin itong dinadagdagan (The ABT package may be availed of from more than 700 accredited ABT providers nationwide, and we’re continuing to increase their number),” Mercado said.

He urged everyone to be responsible by having their pets vaccinated against rabies.