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4,136 Suspected Rabies Cases in North Sumatra, 14 Dead

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Medan – Cases of suspected rabid animal biting in North Sumatra reached 4,136 cases in 2015 and caused 14 confirmed rabies human deaths. Rabies is an acute infectious disease (zoonotic) of the central nervous system caused by the rabies virus.

“A total of 14 people have died because of rabies. Meanwhile over 3,006 bite victims were given post-exposure treatment (PET),” said Head of the Disease Control and Eradication Section of North Sumatra Health Services, Sukarni, yesterday.

Human fatalities were from North Tapanuli (2 people), South Nias (2 people), Medan (1 person), Sibolga (1 person), P. Sidimpuan (1 person), Dairi (1 person), Central Tapanuli (1 person), Madina (1 person), Nias (1 person), Samosir (1 person), Humbahas (1 person), and North Nias (1 person).

“Rabies is transmitted through bites and scratches or licks on broken skin by infected dogs, cats and monkeys. Clinical signs of rabies in human include fever, nausea, and throat pain for several days,” said Sukarni.

In later stages, the patient will feel pain, hot sensations and prickling at the wound, followed by anxiety and overreaction to sensory stimulation.

“If you are bitten by a suspected rabid animal, immediately wash your wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes, but don’t worsen your wound in the process. Immediately seek medical services for further treatment,” said Sukarni.

After the wound is washed, apply antiseptics to kill rabies viruses around the bite wound. Then immediately bring the patient to a community health center or hospital assigned as a rabies center. “The outcome of anybody suffering from rabies is death,” said Sukarni.

She urged owners to vaccinate their dogs, cats or monkey against rabies. There is an annual program for rabies vaccination and an incidental vaccination program once or twice a year depending on the availability of the vaccine.

“So we urge dog bite victims to immediately report to the nearest Community Health Center or clinic. Do not ignore it. If you have developed symptoms, then treatment is difficult. People have to realize that rabies is very dangerous if not handled well,” said Sukarni.

North Sumatra Health Services is working on increasing the number of Rabies Centers in districts/municipalities and ensuring human vaccines for post-exposure treatment (PET) is at least 80 percent available.

“The function of rabies centers is to control and prevent rabies. So in 2016 we try to have rabies centers in all hospitals and community health centers in all districts/municipalities in North Sumatra,” she added. (Bar)

 

Source: Inspirasi Bangsa

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4,136 Suspected Rabies Cases in North Sumatra, 14 Dead

by Luthfi Elzacky time to read: 2 min
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