drugs: the back story

 

so where is this discussion in the MSM?

Leprosy predates Colombus

from Science Daily:

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS, and the University of Colorado (USA), in collaboration with various institutions in America and Europe, reveal that a recently identified second species of bacteria responsible for leprosy, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, has been infecting humans in the Americas for at least 1,000 years, several centuries before the Europeans arrived.

Leprosy is a neglected disease, mainly caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, affecting thousands of people worldwide: approximately 200,000 new cases of leprosy are reported each year.

 

Although M. leprae remains the primary cause, this study focused on another species, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, discovered in the United States in 2008 in a Mexican patient, and later in 2016 in red squirrels in the British Isles. Led by scientists from the Laboratory of Microbial Paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, also associated with the CNRS, and the University of Colorado, in collaboration with Indigenous communities and over 40 scientists from international institutions including archaeologists, this study analyzed DNA from nearly 800 samples, including ancient human remains (from archaeological excavations) and recent clinical cases presenting symptoms of leprosy. The results confirm that M. lepromatosis was already widespread in North and South America long before European colonization and provide insights into the current genetic diversity of pathogenic Mycobacteria.

rabies

the previous mayor allocated funding for free rabies shots for those exposed to the disease (dog bites from street dogs or unvaccinated dogs).

Usually there are city wide outreach clinics to give free rabies shots in poorer neighborhoods, but covid sort of messed things up: Lots of dogs ended up out on the street because people couldn't afford to feed them. Sad.

But now, the lack of free rabies vaccine is still a problem: Nearly every week I get a request to help pay for rabies prevention after dogbite. It used to cost seven USD but I am giving them ten USD now because inflation, but I don't know the price at preasent.

Despite this, a young girl who was bit by a street dog in our barangay died of rabies: She didn't tell her mom because she was afraid of shots.

Sigh.

So I am sure that there are rich NGOs out there funding it, right? What about all that USAID money that Trumpieboy canceled? was that funding treatment or dog vaccination outreach?

it turns out that USAID had nothing to do with funding nor did the WHO.

Hello Grok:

Rabies remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines, causing 200–300 human deaths annually, with dogs being the primary source of transmission.

 

The National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP), established under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act 9482), aims to eliminate rabies through strategies like mass dog vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and public education.

 

However, funding shortages have severely hampered these efforts. Recent reports indicate that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) received no funding for anti-rabies vaccines from 2022 to 2024, forcing budget reallocations in 2024 to address rising cases.

 

With an estimated 28 million dogs and cats in the Philippines, achieving the 70% vaccination coverage needed for herd immunity is challenging, as only 14% can be vaccinated this year due to insufficient funds, further delayed by an election ban. Local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to allocate budgets for vaccines, but many lack the resources or prioritization.

 

The Department of Health (DOH) provides free PEP in national and local hospitals, but supply shortages are common, with some areas reporting vaccines as "out of stock." This has led to public frustration, as timely PEP is critical to preventing rabies, which is 100% fatal once symptoms appear.

italics mine.

that is what we are running into, and why people are coming here for money for the shots: series of three at 10 dollars each, and an antibody shot if it is high risk, which is 20 dollars. Average salary: 8 dollars a day. 

 

Programs like the BAI-OIE STOP Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses (STANDZ) project (2014–2017) and initiatives by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) have supported vaccination and education campaigns, but sustained funding remains a gap. The lack of consistent funding undermines the NRPCP’s goal of a rabies-free Philippines by 2030, exacerbating challenges like underreporting, limited access to vaccines in rural areas, and low community awareness. Strengthening LGU budgets, improving vaccine distribution, and expanding education are critical to address this preventable disease.

more grok

 Rabies remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines, where it is endemic, particularly due to dog-mediated transmission. The country ranks among the top globally for human rabies cases, with a notable increase in recent years. Below is a detailed overview based on available information:

Recent Cases and Trends

• 2025 Update: From January 1 to May 17, 2025, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported 124 human rabies cases, a 32% decrease from 183 cases in the same period in 2024.
• 2024 Data: In 2024, the DOH recorded 426 human rabies cases, with nearly half attributed to domestic pet exposure. All reported cases were fatal, highlighting the disease's 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear.
• 2022–2023 Surge: Cases rose to over 350 per year in 2022 and 2023, up from previous years, partly due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), dog vaccination efforts, and community engagement.
• Historical Context: In 2017, around 400 human deaths were reported annually. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 1,750 patients died due to rabies.

Epidemiology

• Demographics: Most cases occur in males (70–72%) and adults aged 20–59, though children under 15 and low-income individuals are also significantly affected.
• Transmission: Dog bites account for 71–88% of human cases, with cats responsible for about 2–29%. Contrary to common belief, 88% of cases are linked to owned dogs, not strays. Other animals like cattle, pigs, bats, and monkeys can also transmit rabies.
• Geographic Distribution: Central Luzon reported the highest number of cases in 2025 (21 cases by May 17). The National Capital Region (NCR), Region III, and Region IV-A are hotspots, with San Lazaro Hospital in Manila admitting 60–80 cases annually, about 20% of the national total. Recent outbreaks have also occurred in previously rabies-free areas like Marinduque and Romblon.

Clinical Features

• Rabies is a viral zoonosis affecting the central nervous system, starting with fever, pain, and sensations at the bite site, progressing to fatal encephalitis. Symptoms may appear weeks to years after exposure, depending on the viral load.
• Once symptoms manifest, rabies is almost universally fatal, with rare recoveries often involving severe neurological damage.

Prevention and Control Efforts

• Vaccination: The Philippines has an ongoing mass vaccination program for dogs and cats, aiming for 70% coverage, though actual coverage is often lower (e.g., 32.3% in NCR, 49.9% in Region III in 2015). Free PEP is available at over 500 animal bite treatment centers, with over one million people receiving it annually.
• Legislation and Programs: The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 mandates PEP provision, dog vaccination, and pet registration. The National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (2020–2025) targets rabies elimination by 2030, aligned with the global “Zero by 30” strategy.
• Challenges: Limited vaccine availability for animals, inadequate control of free-roaming dogs, and low public awareness hinder progress. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues by disrupting vaccination campaigns and PEP access. Cultural practices, like consuming raw dog meat, also pose risks.
• Innovations: The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) supports initiatives like the Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) program and tools like the Vaccination and Sterilization Tracker (VST). Genomic surveillance has helped trace outbreaks, such as in Romblon, to human-mediated introductions.

Public Health Recommendations

• Immediate Action: After an animal bite or scratch, individuals should wash the wound with soap and water and seek PEP immediately. Delays, as seen in the tragic case of a 13-year-old girl in Manila in 2024, can be fatal.
• Education: Public awareness campaigns emphasize responsible pet ownership, reporting suspected rabid animals, and recognizing symptoms, including the less-known paralytic form of rabies.
• One Health Approach: Mass dog vaccination, population control, and robust surveillance are critical. The DOH and Department of Agriculture continue to prioritize these strategies.

Specific Incidents

• Marinduque (April 2024): A rabid dog bit cattle, leading to culling of infected animals.
• Romblon Outbreak (2024): Genomic studies confirmed multiple introductions from endemic provinces, with two human deaths within six months.
• Killua Case (March 2024): A golden retriever in Camarines Sur tested positive for rabies, prompting warnings for those exposed to seek PEP.

Conclusion

While the Philippines has made strides in rabies control through legislation, vaccination programs, and international collaboration, the disease remains a persistent threat due to high case numbers, low vaccination coverage, and systemic challenges. The recent decline in cases in early 2025 is promising, but sustained efforts in vaccination, education, and surveillance are essential to achieve the 2030 elimination goal. For further details on vaccination or support, contact the DOH or visit https://x.ai/grok for general inquiries, though specific pricing or subscription details for programs like SuperGrok are unavailable here.