Rabies Outbreak in Sintang District: 7 Dead, 282 Bite Cases Reported

SINTANG, KOMPAS.com – The number of rabies dog bite cases has increased in Sintang District, West Kalimantan (West Kalimantan).

Head of the Agriculture and Plantation Office of Sintang Regency Martin Nandung said, out of a total of 282 bite cases that had been reported, 7 of them had died.

“Currently the number of dog bites is increasing. There have been 282 cases of bites and 7 people died,” Martin told journalists, Thursday (8/6/2023).

Also read: With Rabies Outbreak Status, Sikka Runs Out of Rabies Transmitting Animal Vaccines

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the Sintang Health Service, explained that the last reported case of death occurred in Merakai District. The victim had been bitten since April 2023 and was only taken to the Health Center last month.

“Most of the cases that died were brought to the health center or hospital too late. So of course they don’t get treatment such as vaccines and so on, “said Darmadi.

Darmadi explained that there are still many people who do not understand and ignore dog bites. Even though currently, stray dogs come from certain areas and already contain the rabies virus.

“This must get attention, not only the government, but the people themselves must act in order to reduce rabies cases,” hoped Darmadi.

Meanwhile, the Sintang Regency Government is increasing the implementation of anti-rabies vaccinations for dogs.

Sintang Regent Jarot Winarno has issued a circular on the prevention and management of rabies. Besides that, a task force for the prevention and control of rabies was also formed.

Jarot asked residents to increase awareness of the transmission of rabies. One of them is by ensuring that the pet dog gets an anti-rabies vaccination.

In his circular letter, Jarot said rabies is an acute infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system of humans and warm-blooded animals. The disease caused by the rabies virus can be transmitted to humans through the bites of animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys that have rabies.

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