Rabies problem in W. Sumatra

PADANG, West Sumatra: A veterinarian expressed concern over the high rate of rabies in the province, and called for better public education on the issue.

Rusman Abbas said if the public learns more about rabies contracted from dog bites, people would be more likely to use the proper rabies treatments, antirabies vaccination (VAR) and antirabies serum (SAR).

Rusman, chief of the province's animal husbandry office, said patients who were bitten on their feet were usually treated with vaccination, while those bitten from their arms to their neck were treated with both the vaccination and serum.

The virus does not spread as quickly through the nervous system from a bite in the foot as it does from an upper-body bite.

Of the 1,555 rabies patients this year, 895 were vaccinated while 21 required both the serum and vaccination. The other 584 people bitten by dogs did not suffer rabies and were just given a topical skin antiseptic called Betadine, he said.

Rusman said 10 patients died from rabies this year because they did not seek medical treatment at the public health centers, or because vaccines or serum were in short supply. Treatment costs Rp 165,000 per injection, and patients usually need four consultations to kill the virus.

Dogs are popular companions in West Sumatra for hunting wild boar. (32/01)