Rabies fears rise in Indonesia's Bali as tourist hotspots declared ‘red zones'
Indonesia 's holiday hotspot Bali have stepped up emergency animal vaccinations and public health warnings after designating several popular tourist areas, including large parts of South Kuta, as rabies 'red zones' amid a surge in infections and animal bite incidents.
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The Badung Agriculture and Food Service recently confirmed that at least one to two dogs in each of several affected villages tested positive for rabies this month. Under local protocols, the presence of even a single confirmed case is enough to classify a village as a red zone – an area where rabies is actively circulating and urgent interventions are required. Mass vaccination drives were launched following a spate of dog bites in those areas.
Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari, acting head of animal health for the service, said much of South Kuta had been designated a rabies red zone. He emphasised that although there were not many cases of dogs biting humans – only one or two per village, on average – the potential for spread remained high due to the large number of strays in the area.
'The reason much of South Kuta is in the red zone is that the terrain has a lot of bushes, which are used as nests by stray dogs,' he explained on Friday, as quoted by local news outlet Bali Post.
'Even though there are only one or two cases per region, we take it seriously. We immediately carried out vaccinations and sweeps. What is important is not the number of cases, but the potential for spread,' he added.
Tourists spend time at a beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia, on July 1. Bali has faced recurring rabies outbreaks since 2008 despite annual vaccination campaigns. Photo: EPA
The affected areas in Badung Regency include Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, as well as parts of Mengwi district such as Pererenan Beach and Seseh – all popular with international visitors. Tourists are being advised to avoid contact with stray dogs and monkeys and to seek immediate medical treatment if bitten or scratched.
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