Health authorities at one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations are warning about an apparent outbreak of rabies after several people on the Indonesian island of Bali were bitten by infected animals in July.
The most affected areas are said to include the island’s South Kuta district, home to tourist hotspots such as Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, as well as the popular beaches of Pererenan and Seseh near Canggu.
The veterinary office has ordered mass vaccinations for stray dogs in these areas, the newspaper Bali Sun reported. This follows several reports of dog bites from rabies-positive animals.
The US, the UK and Australia have already issued warnings to their citizens about the risks of travelling to Bali due to the risk of infection.
It’s not only the island’s many stray dogs but also monkeys that pose a risk on Bali. Although comprehensive rabies prevention programmes are in place at well-known locations such as the Monkey Forest in Ubud and the Uluwatu Temple, famous for its macaque population, anyone bitten or scratched should still seek medical attention.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and can be transmitted from animals to humans. This occurs through contact with the saliva of infected animals, such as through bites, scratches or licking of open wounds and mucous membranes. Early treatment can often prevent the disease.
Anyone who believes they have come into contact with a rabies-infected animal should see a doctor immediately. Once symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, fever or a tingling sensation near the bite site appear, rabies is almost always fatal in both animals and humans. A rabies vaccination provides reliable protection and is usually administered in three doses.
According to 2018 estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 60,000 people die from rabies each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. In the vast majority of cases, the disease is transmitted by dogs
