Pet Animal Bites Including The Cause Of 75 Rabies Cases In Rejang Lebong Throughout 2023

Illustration. Animal vaccination to prevent the spread of the Rabies Virus and Bird Flu. (Between)

BENGKULU - The Health Office (Dinkes) of Rejang Lebong Regency has handled 75 cases of rabies-infectious animal bites (HPR) during the January-June 2023 period.

Head of Disease Prevention and Eradication (P2P) Heri Wartono said the HPR bite case that occurred in the area was known from reports of 21 health centers spread across 15 sub-districts.

"Gigian HPR, which occurred in Rejang Lebong Regency until the end of June 2023, has 75 incidents, this case is spread in 15 sub-districts," he said in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu, Saturday, July 15, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the majority of HPR bites that occurred in Rejang Lebong Regency were due to dog bites, while the rest were due to the bite of cats and monkeys.

HPRs that bite residents in Rejang Lebong Regency are not only pets, but also cases of wild animal bites. All victims were immediately rushed to the nearest health center for treatment.

According to him, although the HPR bite case is quite high, there are no reports of casualties.

He said that the rabies virus that is transmitted by animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys infected with the virus to humans can cause death so that residents are asked to always be vigilant so they don't become victims.

For residents who are bitten by HPR, especially their own after being taken for treatment to the nearest health center, an observation will be carried out first, if the animal dies after a few days of biting, it will be immediately given an injection of the anti-rabies vaccine or VAR.

"Meanwhile, residents who are bitten by wild animals will immediately be given VAR injections, because it is not known whether the animals have been vaccinated against rabies or not," he said.

The Rejang Lebong Service this year, he added, has prepared 140 vials of the anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) stored in the Rejang Lebong Health Office Pharmacy Warehouse. Residents who are bitten by HPR will be given VAR injections four times.