Epidemiology of animal bites and post-exposure vaccination coverage in Davao City, Philippines: A five-year retrospective cohort study, 2019–2023
- 1College of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Philippines
- 2Graduate School Department, University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Philippines
Abstract
Rabies remains a major public health threat in the Philippines, particularly in urban areas such as Davao City, where frequent animal bites from domestic reservoirs increase the transmission risk at the human-animal-environment interface. Detailed epidemiological data on animal bites and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) coverage are limited. This One Health-framed retrospective cohort study describes trends in bite incidents, assesses PEP coverage, and identifies gaps in rabies prevention efforts from 2019 to 2023.
Surveillance data from the Davao City Animal Bite Treatment Centers captured 98,442 cases. Dogs caused 63.5% of bites, with a significant upward trend (p = 0.027; τ = 1.0, 95% CI 0.200–1.800); cat bites (36.4%) rose sharply, indicating an emerging reservoir challenge. Children ≤15 years of age showed a significant increase (p = 0.027). The 3rd congressional district had the most pronounced rise across demographics and exposure categories. Tissue culture vaccine coverage remained at 100%, equine rabies immunoglobulin rose from 18.5% to 85.9%, whereas human rabies immunoglobulin remained low post-COVID.
Despite universal TCV access, immunoglobulin gaps limit its control. Rising cat bites and severe exposures demand integrated One Health strategies, enhanced surveillance, animal vaccination, and supply chain strengthening, to achieve zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
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BibTeX
@article{hinay2026epidemiology,
title = {{Epidemiology of animal bites and post-exposure vaccination coverage in Davao City, Philippines: A five-year retrospective cohort study, 2019–2023}},
author = {Alfredo A. Hinay and April Joy Parilla-Sarabia and Jennifer Ashley H. Reyes and Mariel Phoebe M. Lopez and Rvin John T. Servillon},
journal = {One Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101622},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101622},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidemiology of animal bites and post-exposure vaccination coverage in Davao City, Philippines: A five-year retrospective cohort study, 2019–2023
AU - Alfredo A. Hinay
AU - April Joy Parilla-Sarabia
AU - Jennifer Ashley H. Reyes
AU - Mariel Phoebe M. Lopez
AU - Rvin John T. Servillon
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
JO - One Health
DO - 10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101622
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101622
AB - Rabies remains a major public health threat in the Philippines, particularly in urban areas such as Davao City, where frequent animal bites from domestic reservoirs increase the transmission risk at the human-animal-environment interface. Detailed epidemiological data on animal bites and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) coverage are limited. This One Health-framed retrospective cohort study describes trends in bite incidents, assesses PEP coverage, and identifies gaps in rabies prevention efforts from 2019 to 2023. Surveillance data from the Davao City Animal Bite Treatment Centers captured 98,442 cases. Dogs caused 63.5% of bites, with a significant upward trend (p = 0.027; τ = 1.0, 95% CI 0.200–1.800); cat bites (36.4%) rose sharply, indicating an emerging reservoir challenge. Children ≤15 years of age showed a significant increase (p = 0.027). The 3rd congressional district had the most pronounced rise across demographics and exposure categories. Tissue culture vaccine coverage remained at 100%, equine rabies immunoglobulin rose from 18.5% to 85.9%, whereas human rabies immunoglobulin remained low post-COVID. Despite universal TCV access, immunoglobulin gaps limit its control. Rising cat bites and severe exposures demand integrated One Health strategies, enhanced surveillance, animal vaccination, and supply chain strengthening, to achieve zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
SN - 2352-7714
ER -