The number of cases of rabies in the Philippines—which currently ranks fourth worldwide in incidence of the disease—is increasing, despite government promises to rid the country of the problem by 2020. In 1998, 362 Filipinos died of rabies, compared with 321 in 1997 and 337 in 1996. About 10000 dogs are believed to be infected with the disease each year.

The underlying problem is that public awareness of the disease remains poor and that dog owners are not taking up the offer of subsidised rabies …