Fifty residents of Cauayan town are under observation after eating dog meat that is believed to have caused the death of a 5-year-old child Tuesday, Mayor Jerry Tabujara said yesterday.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena yesterday said he suggests that health officials conduct immediate post-exposure vaccinations on those who had eaten the dog meat in Barangay Molobolo, Cauayan.

Decena also reiterated his warning to the public not to eat dog meat, especially of stray dogs, to avoid getting rabies.

Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren said she had not received a report from the Cauayan municipal health officer but that she would look into the matter.

Decena said that, aside from the death of Rizza May Eduria of Molobalo, Cauayan, at the Corazon Locsin Montelbano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City after eating dog meat, a resident of Barangay Isio in the town has also tested positive for rabies.

Tabujara said he was informed that, aside from eating dog meat, the 5-year-old had also been bitten by a mad dog in October but did not tell her parents.

He said it has been the practice of residents of Molobolo to butcher and eat stray dogs, which is very dangerous since about 60 percent of them are estimated to have rabies.

He said immunization of dogs is being undertaken and residents have repeatedly been warned not to eat dog meat.

The 50 other Molobolo residents who ate the meat of the same dog as the 5-year-old, are under observation, Tabujara said.

Decena said his office has provided vaccines for the massive vaccination of dogs in Cauayan.*CPG

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