The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Animal Bite Treatment Center recorded 6,491 animal bite victims from April to June this year, with Category III (severe exposure) having the most cases at 4,890, followed by Category II (minor exposure) at 1,601, and no cases in Category I (no exposure). Females accounted for 3,795 cases and males for 2,696, with cats being the most common culprit at 4,439 incidents and dogs at 2,048. Other animals involved in incidents included pigs, monkeys, and a horse. The majority of cases, 4,890, involved patients 15 years and older, while 1,601 cases involved children. This year’s number of cases has declined compared to the 18,943 reported last year, with 3,618 cases recorded from January to March. In 2024, SPMC reported three rabies cases in Davao City. The city currently has two animal bite centers, SPMC and the City Health Office.
