Gorontalo District Health Office Imbau Alert Dogs

Head of the Gorontalo District Health Office, Ismail Akase/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Gorontalo District Health Office (Dinkes) appealed to the public to be aware of dog bites and immediately report to the nearest health center if they receive bite wounds to immediately get treatment. This was conveyed by the Head of the Gorontalo District Health Office, Ismail Akase after 12 residents in Tabongo District received attacks from dogs and suffered bite and scratch wounds. This dog attack phenomenon previously occurred some time ago in Limboto. Regarding the incident in Tabongo District on Monday, he appealed to residents who were victims to immediately report to the nearest Puskesmas for treatment. "If the wound is serious, of course friends at the Puskesmas will take care of it according to the procedure or SOP for the victim," said Ismail in Gorontalo, Antara, Thursday, February 9. He explained that if the dog is a pet, then it should be tied or chains for a period of two weeks. "Within two weeks or 14 days if the dog dies, then it can be ascertained as a crazy dog. On the other hand, if during that time the dog did not experience death, then it was not a crazy dog," said Ismail. Asked about rabies vaccines or crazy dogs, said Ismail, the vaccine stock is usually available at every Puskesmas. If not, it has other efforts to get it. "Even if it's empty, Alhamdulillah, we have collaboration with other district and city health offices, including provinces. If there is no rabies vaccine stock, usually Puskesmas can buy it at pharmacies using capitation funds. So there is no problem," said Ismail. According to Ismail, this dog attack phenomenon is a joint task for all parties, not only in the Health Service. It takes collaboration from various parties to solve this problem. A total of 12 residents in Tabongo District, Gorontalo Regency received attacks from two dogs with bite and scratch wounds. Suhaso Dau, who is a local community leader, said that one of the dogs was caught and killed by residents.