The number of rabies cases in the Philippines is higher than most other countries in the world. Rabies is endemic to the Philippines, and only five other countries have a higher number of rabies cases.[2]
| Rabies cases in the Philippines | |
|---|---|
| Disease | Rabies |
| Virus strain | Rabies virus |
| Source | dogs, cats, bats |
| Location | Philippines |
| First outbreak | Asia (cases mostly) |
| Index case | Luzon |
| Arrival date | Every year |
| Confirmed cases | 426 (2024) [1] |
| Suspected cases‡ | 50 |
| Severe cases | 30 |
Deaths | 55 (as of May 2025)[source?], 426 (2024) [1] |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
Cases
changeCases of rabies have been increasing since 1998. The number of rabies cases in the Philippines increased between 2013 and 2023. As of 2017, there were around 400 human deaths from rabies each year.[3]
Luzon
changeIn late April 2024, in the municipality of Boac and Gasan, Marinduque province, there have been reported cases of rabies a rabid dog had bitten a cattle at the farm in Boac, The animal authority control culled a infected mammals such as cattles and pigs.
Mass vaccination
changeThere is an ongoing[source?] anti-rabies mass vaccination program in the Philippines which provides free rabies vaccines. There are various brands of rabies vaccine, including: Verorab, Rabipur, Vaxirab N, Speeda, Abhayrab, and RabAvert. More than 3,000 rabies patients are treated daily at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.