Rabies is a deadly infection of the nervous system that is caused by the rabies virus. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to humans though an animal bite. The virus may also spread to humans when an infected animal's saliva touches the mucous membranes (moist skin surfaces, like the mouth or inner eyelids) or contacts an area of broken skin - a cut, scratch, bruise, or open wound. Any warm-blooded animal may be a carrier of the virus.

Rabies remains a public health problem in the Philippines. Our country ranked third worldwide in rabies incidence in 2000, despite government promises to rid the country of the problem by 2020. Approximately 300 to 600 Filipinos out of every 1 million die of rabies every year. Of the 400,000 animal bite victims, 75% require post-exposure treatment. In addition, nationwide data gathered from Animal Bite Treatment Centers of the Department of Health indicates that children have the highest risk of being bitten by rabid animals.

The underlying problem is that public awareness of the disease remains poor. The first step in addressing the problem is to educate Filipinos on how to reduce the risk of contracting rabies. For instance, many people still believe rabies is only transmitted by bites from stray dogs. However, research indicates that 90% of dog bite infections are caused by pets.

The incubation period for rabies can be as long as ten years, although 95% of those infected develop the disease within one year. Once a patient starts to show symptoms he or she usually dies within 10 days. There is no treatment except for sedation, and patients are usually brought to the main rabies ward in the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila where they eventually die.