Target 2 Weeks Of Village, Distan Mataram Vaccination 1,500 Dogs Prevent Rabies And Sterilization 100 Heads

Distan vaccinated dogs in a number of priority areas in Mataram City, NTB, to anticipate rabies. (ANTARA/HO-Agricultural Service)

NTB - The Department of Agriculture (Distan) of Mataram City has accelerated the vaccination of dogs with a target of 1,500 heads. This effort is a measure to anticipate the spread of the rabies virus.

Acting Officer (Plt) of the Mataram City Distan Irwan Harimansyah said this activity is targeted to be completed in two weeks.

"Vaccination activities are currently underway and have entered one week," he said in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Thursday, September 7, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, the target number of vaccination targets for 1,500 dogs is in accordance with the number of rabies vaccine doses from the NTB Provincial Government.

"If you look at the population of dogs in Mataram, which reaches thousands, the dose of vaccine we received is still lacking," he said.

However, to optimize the existing dose of rabies vaccine, vaccination is carried out on a priority scale in areas that have the most dog population.

Such as in the Karang Medain area, Saptamarga, and several other areas in Cakranegara District.

"Hopefully, with this vaccination activity, it can minimize rabies transmission in Mataram City," he said.

Head of the Mataram City Distan Livestock Division, Dr. Dijan Riyatmoko, previously said that in addition to vaccinating in an effort to anticipate the rabies virus, Distan also carried out population control through elimination and sterilization programs.

"For this year's sterilization, we are targeting around 100 dogs as an effort to control the dog population. The current population of dogs in Mataram reaches more than 5,000," he said.

Meanwhile, the elimination program or reduction of the dog population has decreased in the last two years, but for this elimination, the target is chosen according to the public's request or high-risk targets.

"Seperti di fasilitas publik misalnya, di pasar, lapangan, tempat ibadah, lingkungan pendidikan, dan lainnya yang dinilai mengganggu," katanya.

In addition, he added, efforts to anticipate the rabies virus were carried out under the supervision of HPR, namely dogs, cats, and monkeys at the entrance in collaboration with the Quarantine Center.

"If rabies-carrying animals (HPR) enter, they must have permission from the local Agriculture Service. If not, then HPR cannot enter Mataram City," he said.