Detection Of Rabies Case, TTS Regency Government Isolates Fenun NTT Village

NTT - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of South Central Timor (TTS), isolated Fenun Village, in South Amanatun District.

Fenun Village is the initial location for the emergence of rabies cases on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province.

"We have blocked the village so that no more animals (dogs, monkeys, and cats) come in and out," said Regent Egusem Pieter Tahun on Monday, May 29, as reported by Antara.

He said the incident occurred last week, and was only discovered at this time after reports came in regarding the results of the laboratory test at the Veterinary Center, Denpasar, Bali.

He said, as a result of the incident as many as 10 people became victims of a rabies dog bite. Of the 10 people, a victim was declared dead.

Meanwhile, nine more people have not received further information about the victims' latest conditions.

"I'm still waiting for information or reports from officers who record in the field," he said.

Furthermore, he said, after the village was closed, a number of dogs would soon be vaccinated to prevent the spread of the rabies outbreak.

Kupang Agricultural Quarantine Head Yulius Umbu said that he was currently in So'e, the capital of TTS Regency, to collect data and directly check the case.

He also admitted that he was surprised why rabies could appear on the island of Timor, especially in Fenun Village, which is far from urban areas and is an inland village.

"We are still looking into where the virus came from," he said.