There Have Been 5 People Died, Sintang Regency Government Orders To Inject Rabies Vaccine Into Dogs

Officers vaccinated dogs to prevent rabies transmission in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan Province. (ANTARA/HO-Kominfo Sintang)

SINTANG - The Sintang Regency Government, West Kalimantan Province, carried out anti-rabies vaccinations on dogs to prevent the transmission of rabies disease in its area. According to local government data, as many as 254 dogs in Sintang have been given anti-rabies vaccine injections to be protected from rabies virus infection. The Regent of Sintang, Jarot Winarno, said that the local government has been intensifying efforts to prevent and control rabies because since early 2023 there have been five residents who have died after being bitten by a rabies dog. Through a circular on the prevention and control of rabies in infectious animals, the district government has formed a task force for preventing and overcoming rabies. Jarot asked residents to increase their awareness of the transmission of rabies disease, including by ensuring that pets receive anti-rabies vaccinations. According to data from the Sintang District Health Office, since early 2023, 234 cases of dog bites at risk of transmitting rabies have reportedly occurred in 14 sub-districts. Of the 234 cases of dog bites in humans, there were five cases that led to the death of the victim. Dog bites at risk of transmitting rabies were recorded as causing the death of one person in Sepauk, one person in Temunak, one person in Kayan Hilir, and two people in Ketungau Hulu. In his circular letter, the Regent explained that rabies disease or mad dog disease is an acute infectious disease that attacks the line-up of the human center's nerves and hot-blooded animals. The disease caused by the rabies virus can be transmitted to humans through animal bites such as dogs, cats, and apes affected by rabies.

"Infections of the rabies virus can cause disorders in the nervous system, it can even be fatal, to death," said the Regent in Sintang, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, June 6.