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131 Human Fatalities and 226 Villages Attacked by Rabies in Bali
Denpasar – From 2008 to 2011, rabies has claimed the lives of 131 people in Bali province. “Of that number, 54 have been confirmed positive for rabies. We obtained the results from testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR),” said Head of the Disease Control and Environmental Health Division, Health Service Office (Dinkes) of Bali Province, Ketut Subrata, on Monday (25/7).
He explained that most fatalities, 82 cases, occurred in 2010. Patients died because they did not receive anti-rabies vaccine. “Almost 95 percent of rabies victims did not get rabies vaccination after they were bitten by a dog,” he said.
Subrata also said that some patients received vaccination, but did not complete the vaccination program. This happened because the victims were brought in too late. “But, there was one victim who received all three doses of vaccine, but still died,” he said. Subrata admitted that the case is currently under investigation.
The Health Service Office of Bali is putting in the upmost effort in educating the public to immediately seek medical treatment after being bitten by a dog.
Dog vaccination
It is currently recorded that Bali has 234,429 dogs. In response to the rabies outbreak raging in Bali, the Livestock Service Office of Bali is giving rabies vaccination to stray dogs. Currently over 52 percent of the target has been achieved.
“Besides vaccination, the office is also removing stray dogs from the population. The program has removed 152,011 dogs,” said Head of the Livestock Service Office of Bali, Made Sumantra on Monday (25/7).
Also, he said, in total there are 266 villages with rabies in Bali. To prevent increase in rabies human patients in Bali, the Livestock Service Office is focusing on preventive measure. (Arnoldus Dhae|OL-11;Ant|OL-01)
Source : Media Indonesia [edited]