East Lombok Health Office Ensures Rabies Vaccine Stock is Secure

The East Lombok Health Office has assured that the availability of anti-rabies vaccines is secure, even as cases of wild animal bites continue to occur throughout 2026. Since the beginning of the year, 53 cases of wild animal bites have been recorded in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The Head of the Disease Control and Prevention Division of the East Lombok Health Office, Syahid Romdlan, explained that in 2025 there were 159 cases of wild animal bites. Meanwhile, in 2026, from January to March, 52 cases were recorded. “In 2025 there were 159 bite cases, which differ from rabies cases. Meanwhile, in 2026 from January to March there were 52 bite cases. An additional recent case brings the total to 53, but for April we haven’t compiled the recap yet as we usually do so at the end of the month,” said Syahid on Thursday (16/4/2026). He assured that no indications of rabies have been found in any of these cases. However, every bite victim is still given the rabies vaccine according to procedure. “Rabies cases remain at zero. But if there is a bite case, we provide the rabies vaccine according to procedure, especially if the biter is an animal with rabies potential such as dogs, monkeys, and cats,” said Syahid. Regarding the case of a wild dog bite that killed a child on Monday (13/4/2026), his side has not yet been able to confirm any rabies indication because the dog has disappeared. “We haven’t confirmed that yet, because the dog disappeared,” said Syahid. The Chair of the Pharmaceutical Management Working Team of the East Lombok Health Office, Normala Candra, assured that the rabies vaccine supply in the area is adequate. “The stock is sufficient and adequate. We have distributed it to community health centres as a buffer,” added Normala.