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Key of Rabies Mitigation is at Its Source
Jakarta - To overcome rabies, what must be done is control it at its source. The key to rabies mitigation is animal vaccination, control of animal host population, and public awareness to take care and not let loose animals.
This was said by the Animal Health Director of the Directorate General of Livestock Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Agus Wiyono, on Monday (13/9). As previously published, 24 provinces are rabies endemic.
In a number of regions, such as Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timur, and West Sumatra, rabies cases have sharply increased and claimed human victims.
Agus said, to control animal hosts, particularly in Bali, the government has acquired 15 billion rupiahs of additional budget from the Revised National Budget (APBNP) Year 2010. The money will be used for operational costs, such as catching feral dogs, vaccination, and public awareness.
80% Vaccination
Agus said 80% vaccination coverage determines rabies control. In Bali, for example, vaccination coverage has not reached 80 percent. By August 31, 2010, a total of 251,292 dogs have been vaccinated with 360,441 doses of vaccines. “Some of the dogs were revaccinated,” he said. The total number of dogs recorded is 421,525 dogs.
As of now there are still 430,000 doses of vaccines to be used and so far 109,644 feral dogs have been eliminated.
One problem in rabies control in animals is the unknown number of feral dogs.
Another challenge is public requirements for elimination. To be eliminated, a dog must be captured and injected with anesthetics in accordance with animal welfare principles.
To control rabies at least 80 percent of human resources, equipment or supplies, operational costs in 24 rabies endemic provinces, and early preparedness costs in nine rabies free provinces must be fulfilled. This way, Indonesia could achieve freedom from rabies by 2015.
Structural Support
Agus said, with early detection, reporting, and rapid response, disease could be quickly controlled. If the detection system is working as expected, the impact of disease spread from high human and animal traffic could be minimized.
But with regional autonomy, the regulation of animal health has changed, but livestock and animal health has not become an obligation for provinces and districts/municipalities.
“The presence of a special division responsible for animal health is very dependent on regional government and some regions do not have that structure,” Agus said.
Management and coordination has become difficult because no one is specifically responsible. “Act no 32 year 2004 needs to be revised in that matter,” he said.
Moreover since zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, avian influenza, and rabies are becoming more complex. Zoonosis not only affects animals, but is also a public health problem and poses a threat to human lives. (INE)
Source : Kompas