Rabies claims 98 since 1997

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Rabies which broke out in Flores in 1997 has so far claimed 98 lives and hospitalized 3,683 a local official said.

Th. Salean, deputy secretary of the East Nusa Tenggara administration, said that the disease had spread to six districts.

It is believed that the disease started in the province by a dog brought in from Buton island in Southeast Sulawesi to Larantuka in East Flores Antara reported.

The dog spread the disease by biting other animals. The epidemic quickly affected the whole city and nearby districts of Sika, Ende, Ngada, and Manggarai, in the western tip of Flores.

Rabies in animals such as monkeys, rats, dogs, and cats is difficult to detect, he said. (08)