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35 People Died from Rabies in North Sumatera
Medan - The Health Service Office of North Sumatra reported that from January to November 2010 there were 3,070 dog bite cases in the region with 35 human fatalities due rabies.
Head of the Zoonosis Eradication and Prevention Section of North Sumatra Health Service Office, Sukarni, in Medan on Monday said that dog bite cases in the region are significantly increasing and is quite concerning.
“The potential of dog biting is almost equal in all district/municipalities in North Sumatra. The highest count from rabies fatality is in Nias with 20 victims,” Sukarni said.
Before, she said, Nias was a rabies free area. But several months ago, rabies outbreak occurred in the region, claiming the lives of people including Head of the Health Service Office of North Nias.
“Patients with rabies will not survive and all ends with death,” she said.
Currently the Livestock Service Office is eliminating dogs. This measure is expected to reduce the number of dog bite cases and mortality from rabies.
”Our duty is limited to treating patients with Anti Rabies Vaccine,” she said.
Currently there is still enough Anti Rabies Vaccine in stock at the Health Service Office of North Sumatra, with 700 doses.
To minimize dog biting and rabies in North Sumatra, Sukarni urges Health Offices at District/Municipality level to maintain monitoring and cross-sector coordination with local Livestock Service Offices and the local district/municipality government.
Besides that, Sukarni also expects district/municipal government in North Sumatra to allocate budget for Anti Rabies Vaccines. She also expects all districts/municipalities establish a rabies center to monitor the development of rabies cases.
“We hope 60% of medicine comes from district/municipal governments,” she said.
Source : ANTARA News