Bali tourists warned that rabies risk is increasing in popular coastal resorts
Tourists visiting Bali have been issued with fresh health warnings as authorities crack down on rising risks on the holiday island.
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Tourists visiting Bali are being warned about a rise in rabies cases, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like South Kuta and parts of the Mengwi District.
Officials have declared red zones across several locations, with a number of dog bite incidents traced to rabies-positive animals.
Acting Head of Animal Health, Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari, confirmed the growing concern, telling reporters that South Kuta — which includes resort areas like Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran — is now officially a red zone.
“The case is at least one or two dogs, no more than five. The dominance of the red zone in South Kuta is because the terrain has many bushes, so it is used as a nest by wild dogs, and this is one of the reasons,” Mr Witari said.
Mengwi District, home to tourist favourites like Canggu’s Pererenan Beach and Seseh, is also affected.
Authorities say mass vaccination efforts are launched immediately following any confirmed rabies case.
Recent incidents were recorded at the Bali State Polytechnic Campus in Jimbaran and on Jalan Pratama, where stray dogs were vaccinated on July 10, and victims were directed to local health clinics for treatment.
“We have a UPT in South Kuta, namely Satker Puskeswan, who immediately intervened. We also routinely do mass vaccinations and vaccinations,” Mr Witari said.
“If the vaccination coverage is below 70 per cent, we will go down again with further vaccination and emergency vaccination.”
In addition to vaccination drives, officials are working with local animal welfare groups to sterilise and vaccinate dogs in tourist zones. The most recent campaign was carried out in the Nusa Dua resort area.
“Vaccination is protection for us and pets. We urge the public not to let their dogs roam. If you have a dog, it must be handled or tied up. Rabies vaccination must also be done every year,” Mr Witari said.
He also stressed the importance of calm and swift action in the event of a bite: “It’s okay to be alert, but don’t panic. We appeal to the head of the neighbourhood to confirm that the residents should not let their dogs go.”
“So everyone must be aware of that. It is mandatory to vaccinate the dog every year, as it is to protect us and the animals as well.”
Travellers heading to Bali are advised to familiarise themselves with post-exposure protocols, which are detailed on the World Health Organisation website.
Meanwhile, tourists planning trips to neighbouring Lombok are being alerted to new safety regulations following a string of incidents on the slopes of Mount Rinjani, including the recent death of a Brazilian tourist and the airlift rescue of a Swiss national.
Authorities now require all hikers planning to summit the volcano to first visit and stay in the village of Sembalun, where they will receive a mandatory safety briefing and equipment check before beginning their trek.
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