Thread: 78 people now dead from rabies in Bali

Two children have died of rabies in Bali, bringing the official death toll from the epidemic that broke out on the island in November 2008 to 78.

The latest victims were identified as Made Pin Anggrayana Putra, 13, and Kadek Suparsa Yasa, 5, both from Buleleng district. Anggrayana died on Saturday, and Suparsa died on Sunday.

Ken Wirasandi, the secretary of the rabies task force at Denpasar’s Sanglah General Hospital, said on Tuesday that the victims had exhibited clear symptoms of rabies, such as acute fear of light and water, shortness of breath and foaming at the mouth.

While the official death toll is now 78, unofficial estimates put the figure at 85, which includes seven victims who died showing symptoms of rabies but were never autopsied.

The number of dog-bite incidents across the island is also on the rise. On Monday, a dog in Karangasem district bit five people, including a veterinarian called in to treat it.

Two of the victims were treated at Sanglah Hospital but none received a rabies vaccine because the hospital has run out of stock.

And in Tabanan district, 17 people were bitten by dogs.

Rabies vaccines are running low across the resort island, with the districts of Denpasar, Badung, Klungkung, Karangasem and Bungli confirmed to be out of stock.

Bali Rabies’ Toll Rises to 78 After Two Children Die | The Jakarta Globe