Riau to fight rabies

PEKANBARU, Riau: Rabies is still prevalent in the province. Only Batam and Riau islands are free from the contagious disease, Governor Soeripto said on Saturday.

According to Soeripto, rabies is worst in Pekanbaru, Bengkalis, Kampar, Indragiri Hulu and Indragiri Hilir, Antara reported.

"Since Riau is surrounded by provinces infected with rabies such as North Sumatra, Jambi and West Sumatra, our efforts to exterminate the plague must be maximized," he said.

Addressing a coordination meeting on "Exterminating and Preventing Rabies" with health officials, Soeripto said that the mortality rate from rabies is not that high, but enough to cause unrest among residents.

Soeripto cited dogs as the primary infector with approximately 92,8 percent, followed by cats and monkeys. (14)