Tourists heading to Bali are being warned to be vigilant after a rise in rabies cases has sparked panic at popular holiday hotspots.
Authorities believe the disease has been spread by several rabid dogs in tourist-heavy areas, such as South Kuta and parts of the Mengwi District, including tourist favourites like Canggu’s Pererenan Beach and Seseh, and red zones have been declared following a number of dog bite incidents.
Australian vet Will Maginess works closely with Bali-based rescue organisation Mission Paws’ible.
He told Yahoo News tourists should “definitely be vigilant around stray animals” since the hotspots are “where many Australians travel”.
However, the ongoing situation doesn’t mean Aussies should avoid travelling to Bali completely. ”
Just keep your distance from all street dogs, and be aware that it currently is there, at the hotspots, and to be safe. But I wouldn’t avoid travelling to Bali,” he told Yahoo.
Mass Vaccination Efforts Launched to Contain Rabies Outbreak
Balinese authorities believe up to five dogs have caused the spread of the disease. Anak Agung Brahmi Witari, Acting Head of Animal Health, told local reporters the location of the cases has likely exacerbated the issue as South Kuta has many bushes used “as a nest by wild dogs”.
“The case is at least one or two dogs, no more than five,” he said. Mass vaccination efforts have been launched immediately, and authorities are reportedly working with local animal welfare organisations to sterilise and vaccinate dogs in tourist hotspots.
“Vaccination is protection for us and pets,” Witari said.
From January to March alone, there’s reportedly been 13,000 rabies cases and 25 people have died in Bali after being bitten by the infected animals, 7News reported this week.
Other Animals Pose a Risk of Rabies Transmission
While dogs are usually the main threat of rabies in Bali, other animals, such as monkeys, also pose a risk. This was the case for Aussie traveller Jami Groves, who forked out $6,000 for rabies shots after a monkey bit her last year at Monkey Forest in Ubud.
Advice for travellers to protect against rabies virus includes getting the vaccination prior to travel and seeking medical attention immediately after being bitten by a potentially rabid dog.