Rabies, how serious is this in real life on Bali?

[MiSO]

I received a newsletter about Bali and rabies was a major topic.
I know media like to exaggerate, so i am asking you guys: how serious is rabies on Bali?

[spicyayam]

The problem only seems to be getting worse and spreading more around the island. The solution seems simple enough to me, to try and vaccinate all dogs. The government seems very slow to act.

I just got a dog and have been taking him to the vet to get vaccinated. I said to our neighbor I would pay to get their dog vaccinated and they said it would be too hard to get him, there because he hates to be touched by anyone.

I read the vaccine only costs 30 cents, so it isn't necessarily about money. It seems like another problem is that people only start to think about it after someone gets attacked.

[JUDY]

My question is: How did rabies come to Bali? IN the past, there was no rabies in Bali? Has the government ever find out how this disease originate in Bali? Such a tragic state of affairs. i am an animal lover and feel just awful regarding the entire situation. we had three dogs poisoned in ubud , Campuhan ....made me sick...

[chilli]

To Spicey, just a thought, i wonder if you rang BAWA if it only costs .30cents for the vaccine,
and make a donation maybe they would send someone out and vaccinate the entire street.
:|
just my humble suggestion.

[spicyayam]

Yes, good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

[lumumba]

Hi,

What the hell did they use to kill your 3 dogs? It is not easy (I think) to find really strong poison on the market to kill a dog (quickly) and in one go. :roll:

[mimpimanis]

People who can not afford to get their dogs vaccinated can have it done for free. My vet was part of the original team that went around the bukit vaccinating dogs. She did ours but I paid for it Rp100,000.

It would have been easy for rabies to come in from another island on one of the ferries. I used to bring my dog back and forth between Bali & Lombok with no problem and there are plenty of other people carrying all sort of animals.

[JohnnyCool]

Rabies is a very serious disease.
There is no known cure.
If you've been licked or bitten by an animal, you could contract it.
If you seek medical attention promptly, you might survive.
Death by rabies is a horrific affair.

Right now, rabies has spread all over the island.
I spoke to a veterinary professor earlier today and in his opinion, "It's out of control".

Rabies exists all over Indonesia. How did it get to Bali?
Some idiot either brought an infected animal here, or, an infected bat managed to fly over from a neighbouring island. Doesn't really matter.

Rabies is well and truly in Bali. The "authorities" didn't listen too carefully to advice from international experts on how to contain it when it first appeared. Sound familiar?

As usual, Indonesian knee-jerk reactions to this problem are unlikely to be successful. It's a worry.

:shock:

[MiSO]

If money is the problem, I'd open my small wallet to donate for a few who can't afford it.
But this solo action wouldn't solve the problem.

I feel a bit disappointed, I was hoping you'd spread some better sounds but thanks for the real story. I was planning to spend 6 months on Bali, but I am rethinking my plan :cry:

It's a big :?: why the government doesn't handle this with care, it will affect (or affects already) tourism.

[bambang]

"how serious is rabies on Bali?"

If put into perspective - not serious at all. No tourists have died from rabies or even contracted rabies as far as I know. According to reports than have been a dozen or so deaths from rabies in the past year, far less than from dangerous driving, malnutrition, suicide, overdoses, other easily treated medical conditions and preventables causes.

You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Notwithstanding the exaggerated analysis above, there is a treatment for rabies which is 100% effective if administered within the first couple of weeks of exposure. Exposure is usually by dog bite so any bite should be treated.

I suggest you seek a professional opinion of the risk rather than from unqualified and anonymous posters on an internet forum. Some of the hysteria seems to be another beat up by those who have long held axes to grind.