Government Strategy to Handle Rare Case of Rabid Cat Biting 11 Residents in Belu

A rare case of a cat testing positive for rabies after biting eleven residents in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), has prompted swift government action to manage the first such incident in the region.

Melky Angsar, head of the animal health division at the NTT Provincial Livestock Services Department, explained that this case represents the first of its kind in NTT. “We have coordinated with the Belu Regency Livestock Services, and laboratory analysis of the cat’s brain tested positive for rabies,” Melky said via telephone on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

He noted that the NTT Livestock Services Department lacks precise data on the population of stray cats that could potentially carry rabies. “Cat populations have never been counted because in NTT, 89 per cent of rabies transmission is caused by dogs. The remainder occurs in cats and monkeys,” he explained.

Melky further noted that rabies cases in NTT have historically been transmitted primarily through dogs. “This is the first occurrence in NTT. Because vaccine stocks are limited, previously we focused more on dogs,” he added.

Following coordination with the Belu Regency Livestock and Fisheries Services, officials will conduct emergency vaccinations for residents in the surrounding area. “We have coordinated with the regency livestock services department to immediately carry out emergency vaccinations. Vaccinations will also be conducted for people in approximately 6-7 villages in health care facilities there,” he added.

Melky urged residents of NTT, particularly in Belu Regency, to maintain preventative measures by continuing to vaccinate their pets. “For the community, please ensure dogs and cats are not allowed to roam freely. The community must also vaccinate their dogs, cats, and monkeys because the government provides a free annual vaccination programme,” he concluded.

Eleven residents in Belu Regency, NTT were bitten by the cat that tested positive for rabies. This cat bite incident marks the first case of its kind in the NTT region.