Rabies Still 'Threatening' Aceh: 1,013 Animal Bite Cases Recorded, 1 Soul Floating

Photo archives - Veterinarians provide drugs to prevent the transmission of the virus in pets at animal health clinic services around the Aceh Livestock Service in Banda Aceh, Friday (10/1/2025). BETWEEN/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Province Livestock Service (Disnak) recorded 1,013 cases of rabies-infectious animal bites (GHPR) occurred throughout 2025 in the province of the western tip of Indonesia.

Head of the Aceh Provincial Livestock Service, Zalsufran, said that of the thousands of bite cases, one case was recorded as contagious to humans, causing death.

"There were 1,013 cases of rabies-infectious animal bites in Aceh throughout 2025 or from January to September 15 there were 1,013 cases and one positive case of rabies in humans caused death," said Zalsufran in Banda Aceh, Antara, Tuesday, September 17.

Of the 23 regencies/cities in Aceh, the highest number of GHPR cases was recorded in Central Aceh Regency with 241 cases, followed by Bireuen Regency with 100 cases. One rabies case that caused death occurred in Aceh Singkil Regency.

Zalsufran explained that rabies, or lyssa, is a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through animal bites such as dogs, cats, bats, and other animals.

Transmission can also occur through contact with the saliva of infected animals with open wounds or mucosa membranes, even through transplantation of vital organs from donors infected with rabies, although cases like this rarely occur.

"Lyssavirus rabies attacks the central nervous system and can cause severe symptoms including behavioral changes, difficulty swallowing, paralysis, and seizures," said Zalsufran.

According to him, the Aceh Livestock Service continues to take preventive measures, including monitoring the health of animals, controlling wild animal populations carrying rabies such as stray dogs, vaccinating pets that have the potential to carry rabies, and educating the public about the dangers of rabies and how to prevent it.