44 people die of rabies

44 people die of rabies

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The government of Lembata regency
here declared an emergency situation on Thursday after 44 people
died in the past week due to rabies.

The latest victim was seven-year-old Ferdinandus Lolong
Langari, who died on Thursday, after being bitten by a rabid dog.

In order to control the outbreak, the government has shot dead
212 dogs suspected of having the virus since Sunday, and is now
hunting down more, said Maria Geong, the head of Animal Husbandry
Office at the Lembata administration.

The government will also vaccinate the remaining healthy dogs
in the regency, said Maria. -- JP