THIRTY residents of Barangay Kihan in Sarangani Province are under close observation after reportedly consuming the meat of a dog that was later confirmed to have caused the death of a 9-year-old boy due to rabies.
The child was bitten by the stray dog on May 18 while playing. The wound was on his mouth, but the boy allegedly did not inform his parents and no medical treatment was sought.
On June 9, the boy began exhibiting symptoms of rabies and was rushed to a local hospital. He was declared dead on arrival. Health officials confirmed that the virus had already reached his brain.
The same dog that bit the child was later caught, slaughtered, and eaten by several residents in the community reportedly unaware that the animal was infected.
As of this writing, officials have not reported any symptoms among those under observation, and no further cases have been confirmed.
