Residents line-up with their fur babies for anti-rabies shots and deworming at a local veterinary center in San Andres, Manila on April 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Rabies cases in the Philippines have declined by 32 percent in 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Health.

According to Department of Health Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, as of May 17, 2025, human rabies in the country is at 124 cases, down from the 183 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Central Luzon registered the highest number of cases at 21, followed by Region 9 at 15, and Calabarzon at 12 cases.

“Maliliit ang bilang pero ang sinasabi namin sa rabies, kahit maliit ang bilang masaklap ang rabies dahil kapag nakagat ka ng hayop ng may rabies, at nagkaroon ka na ng sintomas, mataas ang fatality rate,” Domingo said.

“Kung yung mpox 1%, yung rabies 100% (fatality rate),” he said.

The DOH official also urged owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies.