Palangkaraya – Seven people in Central Kalimantan have died from rabies in 2015. The number of rabies fatalities this year in Central Kalimantan increased by one compared to 2014.

“The seven rabies victims were from West Kotawaringin, East Kotawaringin, Sukamara, Lamandau and Kapuas Districts,” said Head of the Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Division of Central Kalimantan, Chandra R in Palangkaraya, Wednesday (24/6/2015).

Central Kalimantan Livestock and Agricultural Services has disseminated thousands of vaccines and gave public awareness to subdistrict, administrative village and village leaders, and the general public on first aid management for dog bite cases.

Chandra said all District/Municipal Livestock and Agricultural Services in Central Kalimantan will coordinate to determine which area has the most dogs and develop a strategy to prevent more human fatalities due to rabies.

“This condition doesn’t mean Central Kalimantan is in an outbreak state. We are just moving fast so all parties will increase their vigilance and prevent human fatalities in the future,” he said.

Chandra urges all dog owners in Central Kalimantan to report themselves and regularly vaccinate their dogs against rabies. He also hopes that people who are bitten by dogs, whether indicated rabid or not, will immediately visit the nearest community health center or hospital.

“Do not assume a dog bite is normal, we need to stay vigilant. If you are bitten, it would be better to immediately go to the nearest community health center,” he explained.
Source:  MetroTVNews.com / Tri Kurniawan