Bali Prioritises Anti-Rabies Vaccination Program Roll Out To Protect Tourists 

Share The Article

Following the tragic death of a Balinese man from rabies this month, leaders in Bali are intensifying the rollout of its anti-rabies vaccination program.

A major anti-rabies vaccination program is underway in Denpasar, and now the program is extending to other regions of the province.

On Monday 24th February, a 35-year-old man died of rabies in Buleleng Regency in Northwest Bali. The man had been bitten by a dog six months prior and did not seek a post-exposure anti-rabies vaccination, nor did he report the bite to the authorities.

His family confirmed that he did wash and disinfect the wound. However, two days before his death, he started showing clinical signs of rabies, including including restlessness, high fever, fear of water, fear of light, and fear of cool air. By the time clinical symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is 100% fatal. 

The man had been bitten by a stray dog while going about his daily activities at his local market in Pancasari Village where he lived. In light of his death leaders have rolled out an intensive mission to vaccinate as many dogs in the community as possible. On Monday 3rd March the Buleleng Agriculture Service vaccinated 295 pet dogs and cats, and stray dogs too. 

The Head of Pancasari Village spoke to reporters after a successful day of supporting the Agriculture Service in the mass vaccination campaign. Wayan Komisari told reporters “The public’s enthusiasm for vaccinating their pets is very high. It can be said to reach more than 90 percent.” He noted that many community members shared how they feel safer knowing that many of the animals in the village have been vaccinated. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bali Animal Welfare Assoc. (@bawabali_official)

Komisari noted that he and his community want to help protect both people and animals against rabies, he explained the moral dilemma of euthanizing stray dogs without knowing whether or not they are rabies-positive.

He shared “If in the past a dog that had no sign, and no one recognized it, then it was categorized as a wild dog. In the previous rules, stray dogs can be eliminated. In the current rules, elimination is not recommended. That’s where we are in a dilemma because, on the one hand, the existence of this wild dog is dangerous. While on the other hand, it should not be eliminated.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sunset Vet Bali (@sunset_vet_bali)

Though not known to many by its local name, Pancasari Village, is in fact home to a number of Bali’s leading tourism destinations. Attractions such as Buyan Lake, Handara Gate, and Handara Golf Course all fall within the jurisdiction Pancasari.

It is of the utmost importance that the anti-rabies program is rolled out effectively to help protect local communities, tourists and animals from the horrors of rabies.

Tourists should be aware that getting anti-rabies vaccinations prior to travel does not eliminate the need to get post-exposure anti-rabies vaccinations in the event of coming into contact with, being bitten or scratched by a potentially rabies positive animal, like a dog, monkey or bat. 

As explained by the World Health Organisation “Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the emergency response to a rabies exposure. This prevents the virus from entering the central nervous system”.”

“A well-performed wound risk assessment and PEP protocol consists of: extensive wound washing with water and soap for at least 15 minutes soon after an exposure; a course of rabies vaccine; and administration of rabies immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies into the wound, if indicated.”

If the event that a tourist is bitten, scratched, or comes into contact with the saliva of a potentially rabies-carrying animal, immediate medical support should be sought.

This is one of many reasons why fully comprehensive travel and medical insurance are essential for all travelers visiting Bali. 

As a preventative measure, tourists should avoid direct contact with animals such as monkeys and exercise extreme caution when interacting with stray and community-owned dogs throughout the province.