13 NTT Residents Died Bitten by Rabies Dogs Period January-June 2023

A total of 13 NTT residents died in the period January-June 2023. Six people died in South Central Timor, the rest were in Flores-Lembata. A total of 5,441 dogs in TTS were vaccinated.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KORNELIS KEWA AMA

A number of dogs owned by residents in Naimata Sub-district, in front of the Naimata Mental Hospital in Kupang City on Thursday (29/6/2023), are still wandering around. There has been no policy from the city government requiring residents to tie up or confine their pet dogs.

KUPANG, KOMPAS - Between January and June 2023, a total of 13 residents of East Nusa Tenggara died due to rabies bites. In South Central Timor, six victims died while hundreds of other residents were bitten. The vaccination of rabies-susceptible animals in TTS has reached 5,441 heads.

The General Secretary of the Flores-Lembata Rabies Prevention and Control Committee, Asep Purnama, stated in Kupang on Thursday (29/6/2023) that rabies has been present in Flores-Lembata for 26 years. The challenge in managing rabies in the two islands with nine regencies is the limited availability of rabies vaccine.

"The rabies outbreak has now spread to South Central Timor (TTS) on the island of Timor. The total number of deaths from January to June 2023 in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has reached 13 people. 6 people in TTS, 2 people each in Ende and East Manggarai, and 1 person in Sikka district," said Asep."

The outbreak of rabies causing victims to die in TTS is considered fast. Since the discovery of the case on 26 May 2023-29 June 2023, six people have died. Five of them are children.

Also Read: Rabies Alert Cadres Formed

DOKUMENTASI DINAS PETERNAKAN KABUPATEN TIMOR TENGAH SELATAN

A dog belonging to a resident of Fenun Village, Amanatun Selatan District, TTS, was tied up on Saturday (3/6/2023) following the governor's instruction regarding the rabies cases in TTS. However, the residents requested that the instruction be accompanied by strict sanctions as there are still many residents who refuse to tie up their dogs.

The rabies virus in rabies-transmitting animals (HPR), especially dogs, has become a new burden for the NTT Provincial Government. Apart from stunting, extreme drought, human trafficking and unemployment, rabies is now being added. Going forward, the allocation of the annual Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget should allocate a special post for the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines.

He said that there has been a movement to control or confine stray dogs in TTS. However, there is no such movement in Flores-Lembata, despite the rabies cases that have been ongoing for 26 years. Vaccination procurement in several districts is carried out regularly every fiscal year, although the amount of vaccines is very limited.

The number of death cases due to rabies from dog bites in Flores-Lembata for 26 years has approached 400 people. Most of the victims were children under 15 years old. If they were still alive today, they would have entered their productive age.

If handled by the task force, it will be most likely eliminated. Even the owner is afraid to approach, let alone others.

The population of dogs in Flores-Lembata is approaching 600,000. Every year, the average increase of new births is 10,000 dogs per district or 90,000 for nine districts. However, there is no movement to tie or lock up these dogs.

Also Read: South Central Timor Widespread Distribution of Dog Bites

KORNELIS KEWA AMA

A number of dogs belonging to residents in Naimata sub-district, located in front of the Naimata Mental Hospital in Kupang City, were still roaming around on Thursday (29/6/2023). There has been no policy from the city government requiring residents to tie up or confine their pet dogs.

The spokesperson for the Rabies Prevention and Control Task Force in TTS, Adi Talo, stated that the status of the extraordinary event (KLB) in TTS is still ongoing. Residents are continuously reminded to remain vigilant and to take care of their pet animals that are carriers of rabies.

Continuing to grow

The death toll continues to increase. This Thursday, one more victim, with the initials MS and aged 7 years 11 months, was reported. The victim came from Nonohonis Village, Kota Soe District, in the city. "The number of victims has now reached six people over the past almost one month," said Adi.

The Anti-Rabies Task Force continues to work. This team includes all village officials, community policing officers, and military personnel in the villages. They continue to work in the field. Monitoring the movement of dogs in every residential area.

All pet animals, including dogs, cats, and monkeys, must be leashed or kept in a cage. If any of them are found wandering around in residential areas, streets, or forests, they will be eliminated by officers. This action is taken after no resident of the village (or neighborhood) claims ownership of such animals.

Also Read: Hundreds of “Stray” Dogs in South Central Timor Eliminated

TANGKAPAN LAYAR DOKUMEN SATGAS PENCEGAHAN RABIES TTS

Dogs that are not tied or kept in kennels by their owners in South Central Timor are eliminated (killed) by the joint rabies prevention and control team in South Central Timor. These dogs were not tied or kept in cages by their owners after the Rabies Extraordinary Circumstances Decree in TTS, so they were considered stray dogs.

The government has no intention of eradicating HPR in the area. Many residents already understand about rabies. They tie up or cage their dogs in their homes. They also watch to ensure that the dogs that have been tied up or caged do not come into contact with outside or feral dogs.

As of June 28, 2023, a total of 5,441 HPR (high-risk population) animals have been vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine, consisting of 5,078 dogs, 360 cats, and 3 monkeys. Vaccination activities are still ongoing. The dog population in 31 districts in TSS is around 60,000 animals. The remaining vaccine doses as of now are 559.

Nearly 200 stray dogs were eliminated. These dogs were without an owner and roamed around residential areas. Some owners admitted that the dogs belonged to them, but were afraid to approach and capture them, or tie them up in a cage. Instead, they asked for the task force to handle the situation. "If the task force handles it, the dogs will likely be eliminated. Even the owners are afraid to approach them, let alone other people," they said.

Petrus Poli (31), a resident of Adonara, East Flores, stated that his two dogs were left to roam around the residential area. These dogs have been vaccinated by health officials. If officials do not come to the residential area, the dog owners bring their dogs to animal health posts or health centers.

Also Read: After Rabies Discovery, All Dogs in South Central Timor Must Be Tied

TANGKAPAN LAYAR DOKUMEN DINAS PETERNAKAN TIMOR TENGAH SELATAN

Animal health officers in South Central Timor are currently vaccinating dogs suspected of being exposed to the rabies virus in the South Amanatun District, TTS, on Wednesday (30/5/2023).

According to him, the deaths of several residents due to rabies dog bites in Mewet Village, East Flores, some time ago, made the community more aware.

"If someone is bitten by a dog, they immediately wash the bite wound with flowing water and soap for 10-15 minutes. Then they bring the victim to the nearest health center," said Piter.