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Rabies situation deteriorating on Bali
Wednesday, 17 February, 2010
The government of Bali is struggling to contain a rabies outbreak among the island's dogs which has now killed at least 30 people. Rabies is spreading out of control among Bali's 500,000 dogs, prompting the government to try vaccinations and culls in an effort to contain the virus. Rabies is thought to have been brought to Bali 14 months ago by an infected dog owned by a fisherman from nearby Flores, and is now spread to all but one corner of the island.
A spokesman from the Sanglah Hospital in Denpassar says every day around 300 dog bite victims come to the hospital seeking treatment, however it is known that vaccine and immunoglobulin is scarce, and many bites are not being treated according to WHO standards. Bali is known to have very limited access to rabies immunoglobulin, an important part of treatment for people who get bitten by dogs.
The focus of the local Government is on dog-culling. Balinese usually let their dogs roam free and the local government believes that this is why it is difficult to control the disease. In December laws requiring all dogs to be kept inside or leashed, or they would be impounded, and eventually killed, were enacted. Government figures show 40,000 dogs have been culled in the past year, the aim to halve the island's dog population.
However, dog-culling alone is not supported by international advisers, including WHO. Experts and animal rights activists say Bali's culling campaign is a waste of time, because dog numbers will quickly bounce back, and have launched their own vaccination program. Animal rights activist Janice Giraldi says vaccination is the only way to eradicate the disease and without an effective program, no solution will stop the spread of rabies on the island. The Bali Government has been doing it own vaccination program and they say 190,000 dogs have been reached in the past year, but there are concerns as the locally-made vaccine has only a temporary effect and may be ineffective. Mass vaccinations are planned for June, using an internationally approved vaccine, but the Bali government admits it is short of funding for the program.
Travellers should be aware of the risk of dog-bites, and carefully avoid contact with animals on Bali, as in most other parts of Indonesia. Vaccination against rabies before travel , while expensive, should be considered for travellers at high-risk of exposure.
