I had heard about this outbreak of Rabies a few days ago and as I was watching the evening news, there was a warning to all travellers to Bali to be aware of the rise in Rabies and what to do. A typical standard warning and the Indonesian Government has declared a rabies outbreak in Bali. Rabies, or ‘Mad Dog Disease’ has been around for centuries. However, it is a serious matter and not to be scoffed at lightly. Currently, there have been a few deaths on Bali from Rabies but they were not tourists. They were from dog bites. It’s a bit hard to avoid dogs on the island as they are everywhere and nonchalantly plod around on the streets of the tourist strip.
Even though the Rabies outbreak in Bali is currently affecting dogs, cats and monkeys are other animals you should avoid having contact with. Getting bitten or scratched by a cat or a monkey or a dog will give cause for concern and I suggest you seek medical attention as soon as possible. There is a vaccine for Rabies. BMIC are well versed on the matter. If you do get bitten and you are at some place like Sangeh Monkey Forest or Alas Kedaton, then thoroughly wash out the wound with soap and water until you can get to medical attention. The same applies if you are scratched or bitten by a dog on the streets of Kuta.
Travellers to Bali should also be careful to avoid bites from dogs in particular, as well as from other animals such as monkeys. If someone is bitten they should straight away, and seek immediate medical attention. Rabies is a serious and life-threatening infection. If you are unsure before you travel to Bali then I suggest you check with your doctor just for reassurance. Prevention is better than cure and so any contact with cats, monkeys and dogs should be avoided until the Indonesian Health Department gets on top of the situation.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been in Bali for a week and was walking through down town Kuta and was attacked by a Monkey. The Monkey didn’t bite me, but scratched me and drew blood.
I didn’t have an RIB either before i left (as i didn’t know the outbreak had occured) and didn’t get one in Bali as it was not available to the general public.
I have had a blood test and am waiting for the results. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone to go, it is the worst feeling having to wait for this information.
Should people get a rabies jab before going to Bali?
S.
Infact, could anyone tell me if there are any other jabs people might need when going to Bali. We have been to Bali before but did not even think to go to the doctor for jabs.
The only rabies vaccination that I am aware of is currently made in Korea, the Australian Government must be notified by your doctor prior to the ordering of this vaccination. It currently costs somewhere in the vicinity of $600 per shot. If you are visiting a high risk area and have time to order this vaccination (takes 4 - 6 weeks) I would do it.
Hep A and Heb B shots are required as is Typhoid.
You can check this information at
http://www.travel-bug.com
it’s highly unlikely the monkeys at places like Sangeh are infected as, like us, monkey quickly die from rabies and there have so far been no reported cases of monkeys dying from rabies in Bali. As for stray dogs, I’d give them a wide berth. The faster they are culled the better.
Ok, im so confused.. the article says that if we have visited places like the ’sangeh monkey forest’ then we should get checked out. my partner and i recently (1wk ago) went to the monkey forest and we werent bitten however got a couple scratches when the monkeys jumped off. Are there ANY reported cases of the monkeys in this area having rabies?? we were told by the doctor that we would have to get injections (even tho we arent 100% sure we even have it) - these shots are about $800 all up Each, something we Cannot afford and insurance wont cover as we are now back from holidays. i am under the inkling that if there have been no reported cases of monkeys dying, and the likelihood of contracting it is rare then maybe we should just wait and see. The doctor wouldnt even do a blood test tho??? is that right?? he just wanted to give us the injections..