Many Jakarta residents will be heading to Bali for the holidays. As rabies is prevalent in Bali we are bringing you some information kindly provided by SOS International so that you can take appropriate precautions.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease which is almost always fatal, but can be prevented. People can get the disease if they are bitten or scratched by an infected (rabid) animal often a dog. Once rabies enters the body, the virus travels along nerves and causes paralysis. As it reaches important organs like the lungs and the brain, it causes coma and death. More than 55,000 people die of rabies each year.
A few countries are free of rabies. However elsewhere, any mammal may be infected with rabies, including dogs, cats, monkeys, raccoons, ferrets and bats.
In areas with rabies, seek medical attention for ANY animal bite or scratch.
Preventing rabies
Rabies is 100% preventable.
- Avoid contact with wild animals.
- Educate children never to touch or approach unfamiliar animals, even if they seem friendly.
- “Pre-exposure vaccination” may be recommended, especially:
- for children, who may not tell their parents if they are bitten
- for people who are at higher risk (e.g. handle animals)
- if access to medical care / rabies “post-exposure” vaccination is not promptly available.
“Post-exposure vaccination” is given soon after a bite or scratch. It can be life saving.
If you get bitten or scratched by an animal:
- Immediately cleanse the wound with soap and water and a povidone-iodine solution if available.
- Let the wound bleed freely.
- Seek medical advice immediately to assess the need for rabies post-exposure vaccination, even if you have had pre-exposure vaccination. THIS CAN BE LIFE SAVING.
Speak to your doctor about vaccination today!
* World Health Organization, 2010
Provided by: Colliers International
