US Official Optimistic Bali Rabies-Free By 2012

Mengwi (Antara Bali) - United States Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Kerry-Ann Jones has expressed optimism that Bali will  be rabies free in 2012.

"I am optimistic that the paradise island of Bali will be free from rabies cases in 2012 following intensive rabies vaccination drives across the resort island," Jones said after attending rabies vaccination phase-II at Gulingan village in Mengwi sub-district, Badung district, on Friday.

Based on data, Jones said the vaccination results had significantly reduced rabies cases and the spread of rabies virus to 50 percent.

"I think the periodical rabies vaccination activity has a very good result to reduce rabies cases to 50 percent," Jones said.

Meanwhile, Bali provincial livestock office spokesman I Putu Sumantra said he was also optimistic that all areas in the Indonesian island resort of Bali would be nil from from rabies disease in 2012.

"I am optimistic because from the rabies vaccination phase-I, hundreds of villages on the island have been free from the disease while only 44 are still infected," Putu Sumantra said.

He expressed hope that the second phase vaccination since May 2011 would have better result than the first phase.

According to Sumantra, the system of the second phase vaccination was much better than the first in addressing the rabies cases, and thus it would be applied in other provinces which were still stricken with rabies.

Sumantra said the second phase vaccination would be followed with the third early next near to make Bali completely free from rabies cases.

dr Rita Kusriastuti of Health Ministry was of the opinion that the paradise island would be free from rabies if all parties and local community really wanted to realize it by making the vaccination activity a success.(*)