East Kalimantan fights rabies after four deaths
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.