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400 Dogs in Bali Found Infected with Rabies
Denpasar - Rabies in Bali has claimed 102 human lives and until now it is still a “phantom” threatening the citizens of this island. Moreover since there are still many rabid pet or feral dogs prowling around them. Data from the Livestock Service Office of Bali shows that by October 2010, 400 dogs in Bali have been found positive for rabies. Most of the dogs were found in two districts, Karangasem and Buleleng.
“Most were found in Karangasem and Buleleng,” said Head of the Livestock Service Office of Bali, Putu Sumantra, on Saturday (23/10/2010).
The 400 rabid dogs were found from random sampling and testing of 3,500 dog brains. Besides Buleleng and Karangasem, two other districts with positive rabid dogs are Badung and Tabanan.
These districts contain many hills, making it possible to serve as reservoir of rabid dogs. The provincial government of Bali is also facing difficulties in eliminating and vaccinating feral dogs in those areas.
“Our team is facing difficulties in vaccinating and eliminating dogs in those districts. Many dogs run and hide in the hills,” said Sumatra.
From the total dog population in Bali, which is estimated to reach 450,000 dogs, only 260,000 have been vaccinated and only 115,000 of those have received revaccination.
Source : Kompas