Dog Allegedly Rabies Bites 15 Climbers In Tabanan Bali

ILLUSTRATION OF DOK VOI

TABANAN - A dog suspected of being rabies bit 15 climbers on Mount Batukaru, in Tabanan Regency, Bali.

"Yes, it was true yesterday's bite, there were 15 people," said the Head of Pujungan Village, I Made Rimayasa, Monday, September 22.

The incident occurred on Sunday (21/9), at around 11.00 WITA.

"I got information at 13.00 WITA. (They went up) Mount Batukaru. I wasn't at the location, I only got information that there was a dog bite at the top of Mount Batukaru," he added.

All victims have received medical treatment at Pupuan Health Center 1, Tabanan.

"It has been rushed to the medical, all of them. And we have handled no obstacles. That's just being suspected of rabies, not necessarily (rabies). The dog has already been followed up by the Ministry of Agriculture (Keswan) Office, and has been checked in the lab to find out," he explained.

The village immediately coordinated with relevant agencies, including health centers, who had gone to the location to handle this dog bite case.

"We have coordinated further with Puskeswan, they have gone to the village directly to the location to follow up on the incident," he said.

He also ensured that dogs that bite the climbers are stray dogs that are often seen in the summit area. The presence of these animals is thought to be because many climbers leave food left on the hiking trail.

"At the top now there are a lot of stray dogs. Because there are many climbers, maybe they feel at home there because there is food left over," he explained.

The dog, who is suspected of being rabies and biting the climber, has now been eliminated to prevent wider transmission. The animal's brain sample is being examined in the laboratory to determine whether it is positive for rabies.

"The dog's status was eliminated. I'm afraid that if it's rabies, it can be in contact with other dogs because it's contagious. Today the samples are also being examined," he continued.

This is the first time a dog bite has occurred on Mount Batukaru. However, as soon as he emphasized that the village does not have direct authority in managing the hiking trail or prevention efforts in forest areas.

"To anticipate we leave it to the competent authorities, such as the Forestry Service and the Livestock Service. We can only call for this to be taken seriously," he said.