Rabid Dog Kills Civil Servant Appointee in Kupang
A suspected rabies patient died at Soliu Health Centre in Amfoang Barat Laut, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The victim, Wempi Kebo, was a Civil Servant Appointee (PPPK) working at a sub-district office. Wempi had only recently been appointed to this position.
Wempi was brought to Soliu Health Centre displaying symptoms consistent with rabies. Shortly after admission, Wempi died. “Confirmed, the victim died at Soliu Health Centre with suspected rabies symptoms. He worked at the sub-district office of Central Amfoang,” said Saukibe Village Secretary Jhoni Kuanine in comments to detikBali on Saturday (23 May 2026).
Bitten Twice by Dog
Kuanine revealed that Wempi resided in Saukibe Village. He stated that Wempi was bitten by a dog twice: first in early May 2026, and then again on 14 May 2026 in Oelfatu Village.
“He began showing symptoms last week, though the health centre staff would be better positioned to provide details about those symptoms,” Kuanine said.
According to Kuanine, the family initially did not report the dog bites to village authorities or medical personnel. The family only reported the incident several days later after Wempi began displaying classic rabies symptoms, including fear of water, air, and light.
Meanwhile, Soliu Police Post Chief Aipda Johanis Garets Lerrik stated that Wempi began showing characteristic rabies symptoms after returning from Central Amfoang. The family then contacted police to have him secured.
Nevertheless, Lerrik declined to speculate further about the cause or timing of the sub-district employee’s death, citing that he had not yet verified the information with Soliu Health Centre.
“Whether it’s rabies or something else, I haven’t verified this because when I called earlier, the number they provided was inactive,” Lerrik concluded.
Six Residents Bitten by Dog Suspected of Rabies
In a separate but related incident, six residents of West Northwest Amfoang District, Kupang Regency, became victims of dog bites from an animal suspected to be infected with rabies. This added to the toll of victims, which initially numbered five residents from Oelfatu Village, West Northwest Amfoang District.
“Latest information from last night indicated the number of victims had increased to six,” West Northwest Amfoang Sub-District Head Imran Kusuma told detikBali on Wednesday (20 May 2026).
Imran did not initially disclose the identities of the sixth victim, as sub-district officials, military liaison officers, and community security liaison officers were conducting investigations and data collection at Soliu Health Centre.
“For complete information, I will provide it later, as the health centre has only provided numbers, but has not yet provided victim identities and details, so I have directed my colleagues to the health centre,” Imran explained.
Already Received Rabies Vaccine
According to Imran, Oelfatu village authorities, residents, and relevant agencies are working to locate the dog for planned elimination. Regarding the five victims bitten on Monday (18 May 2026), their condition has reportedly improved and they have been discharged to their respective homes.
“Their condition has improved and they have returned home. I have directed the village head of Oelfatu to conduct interviews with the victims regarding the type and characteristics of the dog, as it appears to be the same animal, but we do not know who owns it,” Imran explained.
He confirmed that stocks of antirabies vaccine (VAR) at Soliu Health Centre remain available. The five bite victims have each received two doses of the vaccine.
“All five victims were bitten on the legs, not on the head or other vital organs,” Imran said.
The five victims are Paman Saleh, Jack Sae, Win Fomeni, Petrus Buknoni, and Deli Banu. They were bitten whilst conducting activities at their respective homes. Among the five victims, two are teachers.
“On average the bites occurred inside homes. There is a secondary school teacher and a primary school teacher if I recall correctly, but the latest victim is Mr Petrus Buknoni, a teacher at State Secondary School 1, West Northwest Amfoang,” Imran said.