Rabies disease or a mad dog is a deadly disease transmitted through dog bites. To avoid death, if a person bitten by an animal suffering from rabies, the first thing to do is wash the wound immediately with running water and soap or detergent for 10-15 minutes. Then the wound was given an antiseptic / alcohol 70%, then immediately take it to the Rabies Center (health center or hospital) or to the doctor for further treatment.

It was explained by Director of Vector Borne Disease Control, dr. Rita Kusriastuti, MSc. at the media gathering at the office of Ministry of Health, Jakarta.

Current rabies has been widespread in 24 provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Sulbar, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan , North Maluku and Central Kalimantan.

The disease is also often lead to outbreak (KLB). In 2005 outbreak occurred in the provinces of Maluku, North Maluku and West Kalimantan, the end of 2007, outbreaks occurred in Banten. November 2008, outbreaks occurred in Badung, Bali.

On the island of Nias, North Sumatra, untilJuly 2010 there were 857 animal bite of transmitting rabies (GHPR), about 815 were given anti-rabies vaccine, and 23 of them died. In Bali, since it spreads in 2008 cases in Badung, until mid-August 2010 recorded 53 418 cases GPHR, 83 of them died (four people in 2008, 26 people in 2009, and 53 people in 2010).

To cope that things, government has undertaken several efforts. In Nias, government together with WHO has sent anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) 150 kuur, tracking cases, formed a coordination team in all districts, form the Rabies Center in hospitals and health centers and the elimination and vaccination of dogs.

In Bali, since 2008 - 2010 and during that years, it has been shipped around 11,000 kuur VAR, anti-rabies serum (SAR) approximately 20,000 vials, the formation of 43 Rabies Center in Bali and the succeeding month throughout the vaccination of dogs.

According to dr. Rita Kusriastuti, to prevent the spread of rabies, Ministry of Agriculture and Local Government of Bali held vaccinations to dogs. Vaccination targeted was finish on 28 September 2010, coinciding with the commemoration of World Rabies Day 2010. Currently vaccinated dogs had done about 360.000 dogs of the 500.000 estimated dog population in Bali.

Thus, approximately 72% of the population was getting dog's rabies vaccination, so it can protect some 2.8 of the 4 million residents of Bali. "Vaccination dog continues to do in Bali, Bali free of rabies until the target is reached in 2012," he added.


In Indonesia until August 2010 had 113 positive people infected with rabies disease. It was difficult to stop the spread of rabies. The velocity distribution was three millimeters per hour. Not surprisingly, death rates from this disease reached 100%. Traits affected by rabies victims will feel pain at the bite wound, after which the headaches, fear of light, afraid of water and shortness of breath.

Data World Health Organization (WHO) shows the average in Asia there are 50 000 cases of deaths from rabies per year. Case in most Asian countries are found in India (20000-30000 cases per year), Vietnam (average of 9000 cases per year), China (average of 2500 cases per year), Philippines (200-300 cases per year) and Indonesia (average 125 cases per year). In Indonesia, rabies mostly caused by dog bites (98%) while a small portion caused by monkey and cat bites (2%).

Considering the problem of rabies, the Regional forums Zoonotic SEARO Meeting which held in Jakarta in the November 2007, set the disease of rabies as a second priority after the Avian Influenza.

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