Rabies Cases From Dog Bites Surge In Karangasem, Bali

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Officials from Karangasem District have reported that rabies cases in the area have been surging since the start of 2021. An official from Rendang Village Karangasem, I Wayan Kariasa said that 10 people were bitten by rabies-infected dogs in 2021.

“Two people from our village were bitten by dogs this week, and after we observed the dogs’ brains we discovered that they were positive with rabies,” Kariasa said on Sunday (11/4).

Accordingly, the Head of Animal and Agriculture for Karangasem, Drh. Wayan Kepeng confirmed that the incident was caused by the rabies virus.

In response to the incident, Wayan Kepeng immediately issued a recommendation letter to vaccinate the people who were bitten by infected dogs.

“Once the result from the observation at the laboratory came out, I issued a recommendation letter so the victims could receive the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (VAR) as soon as possible” Kepeng said.

He admitted that the number of cases has increased, especially during April 2021.

Kepeng explained that the transmission increased in areas that previously were not prioritized to receive the vaccine. “From a total 78 villages in Karangasem, 27 of them were prioritized to receive Anti-Rabies Vaccine, because most of the people who were bitten by dogs were confirmed positive with rabies. While in other areas, they used to have zero transmission,” Kepeng concluded.

As of now, Kepeng is forced to carry out an emergency vaccination program to reduce the risk of rabies transmission in his area.