East Kalimantan fights rabies after four deaths

Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda

The East Kalimantan provincial administration is taking emergency actions against the spread of rabies following the recent deaths of four residents who were bitten by dogs suspected of carrying the deadly virus.

"The dead victims were bitten by domesticated or stray dogs. We will catch any stray dogs and kill them," East Kalimantan Governor Suwarna AF said after inspecting the construction of the Islamic Center in Samarinda on Tuesday.

He said he has ordered all regental and mayoralty administrations in the province to rush anyone bitten by a dog to hospital for a medical examination, to prevent the death toll from rising.

"The provincial administration will provide free medication for residents who are treated for rabies, as it is an extraordinary incident," added Suwarna.

Data from the East Kalimantan health office shows there were at least 11 cases of residents bitten by dogs recorded between July and August.

Four of the nine victims diagnosed as being positively infected by rabies have died.

Two patients died in Muara Wahau, one in West Kutai and another one in North Penajam Paser. The 2003 death toll from the deadly virus was only one.

East Kalimantan social affairs office head Elmy Rustam said that one of the four dead victims was a contractual doctor assigned in North Penajam Paser.

He said the East Kalimantan administration has provided 5,500 doses of rabies vaccine throughout the province -- 1,500 doses to East Kutai, 3,000 to West Kutai and 1,000 others to North Penajam Paser.

There were still 750 doses of vaccine reserved for contingency purposes, Elmy added.

He said the local government has prepared an unlimited amount of funds to overcome the problem, while medical teams have been deployed to areas prone to the disease.

"The emergency status will be lifted when the number of victims and the death toll decreases, or when there are no more signs of cases," said Elmy.