Balikpapan City Vaccinates 624 Pets in Gunung Bahagia Village to Prevent Rabies Outbreak
BALIKPAPAN – The Agriculture and Fisheries Food Service (DP3) of Balikpapan City has recently conducted a successful vaccination campaign, administering rabies vaccines to 624 pets in the Gunung Bahagia Village area. The vaccination drive was prompted by the discovery of a cat carcass that tested positive for the rabies virus.
Head of DP3 Balikpapan City, Sri Wahyuningsih, explained that the vaccination efforts targeted the Gunung Bahagia sub-district area, where 48 dogs and 576 cats were vaccinated over a span of two days. The vaccines were provided through collaboration with the East Kalimantan provincial government and were administered door-to-door by veterinarians from DP3 and external veterinarians.
To ensure the prevention of a potential rabies outbreak, DP3 had procured 1,000 doses of vaccines, funded by the Balikpapan APBD, and also received assistance from the East Kalimantan Province. Yuyun emphasized the importance of pet owners, including those with dogs, cats, and monkeys, getting their pets vaccinated at veterinary clinics, whether government or private. The rabies vaccine is recommended to be administered annually to eliminate the risk of rabies in Balikpapan City.
Residents can bring their pets to the DP3 office for vaccination, with a fee of IDR 50,000 charged. In case the vaccine supply runs out, private animal hospitals in Balikpapan are also authorized to administer the vaccine. The vaccination campaign aims to eradicate the presence of the rabies virus in Balikpapan City.
In the event of a bite from an animal infected with rabies, Dr. I Dewa Gede Dony Lesmana, Head of the Balikpapan DKK Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Working Team, advised immediate washing of the wound with soap. He stressed the importance of not rubbing the wound vigorously, as it may accelerate the spread of the virus. Lyssavirus, the rabies virus, attacks the central nervous system in the human brain. Therefore, it is crucial to clean the wound promptly, wash it with soap and running water, and seek an anti-rabies vaccination injection at the nearest Puskesmas (Community Health Center).
Balikpapan has established rabies bite handling centers in various health centers, including Klandasan Ilir Health Center, Mekar Sari Health Center, Sepinggan Health Center, Manggar Baru Health Center, Baru Ulu Health Center, and Karang Joang Health Center. These centers provide comprehensive services for rabies bite cases, operating 24 hours a day.
Dr. Lesmana emphasized that the speed at which Lyssavirus spreads to the central nervous system cannot be predicted. Therefore, immediate action is necessary, even if symptoms have not yet appeared. He urged residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as it is better to be late than never.
Although Balikpapan has experienced cases of bites from rabies-transmitting animals, including dogs and monkeys, there have been no reported cases of rabies in humans in the past decade. However, the city still witnesses between 200-300 bite cases each year. In the event of a single case of rabies, Balikpapan will promptly report it as an Extraordinary Event (KLB).
The recent vaccination campaign in Gunung Bahagia Village demonstrates Balikpapan City’s commitment to preventing the spread of rabies and ensuring the safety of its residents and their beloved pets.
What is the recommended frequency of rabies vaccinations for pets in Balikpapan City to eliminate the risk of rabies
Spread of rabies in the Gunung Bahagia Village area of Balikpapan City. In response to the discovery of a rabies-positive cat carcass, the Agriculture and Fisheries Food Service (DP3) of Balikpapan City initiated a successful vaccination campaign. Over the course of two days, a total of 624 pets, including 48 dogs and 576 cats, were administered rabies vaccines.
The vaccination efforts were made possible through collaboration between DP3, the East Kalimantan provincial government, and external veterinarians. DP3 had procured 1,000 doses of vaccines, funded by the Balikpapan APBD, to ensure the prevention of a potential rabies outbreak. It is recommended that pet owners, including those with dogs, cats, and monkeys, have their pets vaccinated annually at veterinary clinics, both government and private, to eliminate the risk of rabies in Balikpapan City.
Residents can bring their pets to the DP3 office for vaccination, with a fee of IDR 50,000 charged. In the event that the vaccine supply runs out, private animal hospitals in Balikpapan are authorized to administer the vaccine. The overall goal of the vaccination campaign is to eradicate the spread of rabies in the Gunung Bahagia Village area.
