Veterinarians neuter dogs during a free neutering in Denpasar, Bali in this file picture from Sept 29, 2024, to commemorate World Rabies Day every Sept 28. - Antara
DENPASAR: Bali health authorities have stepped up vigilance against rabies outbreak following reports that 15 climbers were bitten by a rabid dog along the Mt. Batukaru hiking trails in Pujungan village, Tabanan regency.
The aggressive dog was captured and euthanised by local authorities and subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed that the animal was infected with the rabies virus.
In response, the Tabanan Agriculture Agency launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting all rabies-prone animals in the Pujungan village to contain the potential spread of the virus to the surrounding animal population
Gede Eka Partha Ariana, head of the agency’s Livestock and Animal Health Division, said that approximately 500 dogs, both stray and domestic, have been vaccinated during the initiative.
"At least nine stray dogs around the area have also been rescued and brought to an animal shelter by a team from a local non-governmental organization [NGO] working in collaboration with our agency," he told The Jakarta Post on Sept 26.
He explained that evacuating stray dogs to shelters was necessary to prevent the spread of the virus to other wildlife, such as monkeys, which are commonly found around Mt. Batukaru.
Partha has also urged climbers to avoid feeding stray dogs along the hiking trails, noting that this behaviour has contributed to an increase in the stray dog population in the area.
"Many climbers have also left food behind along the trails, which has attracted more dogs and led to a rise in their numbers on the mountain," he said.
Partha added that the agency will continue to closely monitor Pujungan village in the coming months to prevent a rise in rabies infections among the local dog population.). - The Jakarta Post/ANN
