Governor Pastika: 110,000 Dogs Destroyed and 200,000 Vaccinated in Bali's Continuing War on Rabies.

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika confirmed via Kompas.com that 110,000 dogs have been eliminated thus far in the island's continuing drive to stem an outbreak of rabies." In the meantime, some 200,000 dogs have been vaccinated. The total number of dogs on the island total 540,000 animals," explained the governor in a meeting with the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.

Pastika admitted that efforts to eliminate stray dogs in Bali is encountering many difficulties, including open opposition from local dog owners, who chase away those trying to euthanize free roaming dogs.

Explaining the current predicament, Pastika said: "The elimination of dogs will continue until the total number of dogs on the island reaches an ideal number. At the present time there are too many dogs, especially those allowed to run wild. That is the problem for us."

Acknowledging complaints from many international quarters regarding Bali's elimination of its excess dog population, he continued: "We must ignore these complaints. Bali has a big problem which must be resolved."

As regards the supply of anti-rabies serum, Pastika admitted the supply of serum in Bali remains limited with serum stocks often reported depleted or badly coordinated. "We have already written to the President requesting central government help. The central government has given 25,000 vials of anti-rabies serum and Bali has also gotten help from the WHO," Pastika explained.

The governor clarified that although there is a sizable allocation of money for anti-rabies serum, the Bali provincial budget is having problems bearing the financial burden. The present allocated cost of treatment for one patient with anti-rabies serum is Rp. 750,000 (US$83) for four inoculations needed to treat a dog-bite victim. But, in reality, the cost of a single dose of anti-rabies serum has reached Rp. 117,000 (US$13), while drug stores are selling a vaccine dosage for Rp. 135,000 (US$15). "We now have a strong mechanism in place to stop the buying and selling of anti-rabies serum," said Pastika.

balidiscovery.com

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