Bali Less Rabid Than in the Past

(11/14/2011)

The number of people who have died because of rabies in Bali by the end of 2011 is predicted to be 70% less than the 82 who died in 2010.

To date through the end of October 2010 the total deaths stand at 19.

Beritabali.com quoted the chief of the contagious disease and environmental service of the Bali Health Service, Subrata said the decline in rabies deaths in Bali follows increased knowledge and awareness among the public about the disease. As a result,  there is a greater awareness of the need for vaccinating dog populations and precautions that must be taken if bitten by a dog.

Said Subrata: “Previously, if people were bitten by a dog they considered that a routine occurrence. Now, when people are bitten they come immediately to a medical center to receive further treatment including anti-rabies injections.”

Subrata said that not only were rabies cases among humans on the decline, the number of reported cases of dog bits has declined dramatically over the first nine months of 2011. From January – September 2010 there were 67,000 dog bite cases recorded, a number that has declines to 40,000 in the same nine months of 2011.