Launching of the Dog RAPINA Study

The study 'Seroprevalence of virus-neutralizing antibodies for rabies using RAPINA in puppies and adult dogs in a community in Muntinlupa  City Philippines" was launched on June 6, 2022.  The event was held at the Biazon Covered Court Southville-3 Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.  At around 10:00am, the program proper of the launch started with a prayer and singing of the Philippine National Anthem.  Opening Remarks was from Dr. Beatriz P. Quiambao, Project Manager from RITM followed by a message from the JICA Philippines where Ms. Ma. Consorcia Orsolino delivered the message in behalf of Mr. Masanari Yanagiuchi, Senior Representative if JICA Philippines.  Dr. Daria L. Manalo, Principal Investigator of the RAPINA Study spoke of the overview of the Project.  Closing Remarks was from Dr. Pamela V. Hernandez, City Veterinarian of City of Muntinlupa.

The 1st day of the study was a success!

A total of 170 dogs participated.  Owners are patiently waiting for their turn.

Dog owners were interviewed individually and let them sign in the Informed Consent Form (ICF) in order to get their commitment to participate in the study for a period of time.  They are then advised when to come back on a given schedule.  Each dog must complete the blood extraction and rabies vaccination procedures.

Here are the actual Interviews of the participants prior the procedures.

Participants of the study were given token a foldable fan.

Here is the group photo of the collaborators of the study.

 

JAPOHR Project 4th Joint Coordinating Committee on May 10, 2022

The 4th Joint Coordinating Committee of the JAPOHR Project was held last May 10, 2022 via Zoom. It was well attended by the collaborators from the Project group, JICA Philippines, Research Institute for Tripocal Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, Deaprtment of Health; Oita University and other important persons.

Welcome remarks were made by Anna Marie Celina Garfin, MD from the Department of Health to replace the Chairperson Razel Nikka Ho, MD who cannot attend the JCC due to other important meeting. Reildrin G. Morales, DVM from Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, and Osuke Komazawa, MD Senior Director of Human Development Dept from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters also did the Welcome Remarks.

The outline of the Project was explained by Dr.Beatriz Quiambao of RITM. Details of the Project progress was presented by different key persons. The review of the progress was explained by Dr. Akira Nishizono of Oita University followed by the presentation of the progress of the ICT Nationwide study by Dr. Glofezita Lagayan of BAI. Dr. Milagros Mananggit showed the ICT Straw Method being performed in RADDL3 and other regions. The activities on the project site in the Province of Bulacan was presented by the Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Voltaire Basinang.

Dr. Nobuo Saito, the project Deputy Chief Advisor then provided updates on the activities such as the: SLH Human rabies study; Genome analysis using positive kits; Portable PCR machine evaluation; Human RAPINA study; Animal RAPINA study.

The Project Coordinator, Ms. Yuki Kawada presented the various equipmemt that the project donated and the current personnelunder contract in the project. Before the discussion and approval of the proposed amendments was headed by Dr. Anna Marie Celina Garfin, Dr. Saito explained in details the specific areas for amendments while the proposed plan of activities was made by Dr. Akira Nishizono. All the proposals were approved by the collaborators. The closing remarks was done by Dr. Quiambao in behalf of Dr. Celia Carslos, Director of RITM, who cannot attend the meeting. In the endm the 4th JCC Meeting was again a success! It was well received by the collaborators from different deprtment, both from the human and animal side. Everyone is cooperative in meeting the goal of a Rabies Free Philippines. Here are the pictures of the event: