Ten die of rabies in C. Sulawesi

PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least ten people have died of rabies this year but dozens of others have been saved after being bitten by dogs in Buol Toli-toli and Poso districts, an official said here Monday.

"Those who died were villagers who knew little about rabies and failed to seek immediate treatment," Ilyas Laraga, the head of the provincial livestock office, was quoted by Antara as saying.

To prevent the disease spreading, the local livestock office had supplied vaccines for 4,000 dogs and destroyed 1,500 stray dogs in the two districts, Laraga said.

He said the campaign had been launched in the rabies-prone subdistricts of North Toli-toli, Biau and Momunu in Buol Toli- toli and Central Bungku and Mori Atas in Poso. (swe)