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The rabies situation on the island of Bali in Indonesia appears to be improving.
The health authorities have completed the first round of vaccination against rabies which reached 79% of the dog population and a further campaign is planned for November 2011. An island-wide sterilization campaign is soon to be launched in an effort to reduce the dog population on the island to between 150 000 and 200 000; at the moment the dog population is more than 300 000.
The number of cases of animal rabies is falling; in 2010, 3300 canine tissue samples were tested for rabies virus (144 positive) and so far in 2011, 2311 samples have been tested (67 positive).
The rabies outbreak began in late 2008, in two villages in the south of the island. The outbreak quickly spread to include all regions of Bali and at the peak, rabies had affected 273 villages. At this time, 174 of those villages have recorded no new rabies cases in the last 12 months.
More than 132 human deaths from rabies virus infection have been recorded since the outbreak first began.
Advice for Travellers
Travellers to Bali should remain alert to the rabies risk. There has been no further information regarding the lack of rabies immunoglobulin and shortage of rabies vaccine on the island.
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination may be considered. Animal contact should be avoided and medical attention sought following any animal or bat bite.
