US Helps RI Prevent Infectious Diseases

Mengwi (Antara Bali) - The United States Government is making every effort to help Indonesia prevent infectious diseases, a US official said here on Friday.

"Indonesia became the focus of our program in the prevention of infectious disease and other ailments caused by climate change and biodiversity issues," US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Kerry-Ann Jones, said.

Jones said the US Government has set a focus to suppress the spread of rabies and avian influenza (H5N1) in Indonesia.

According to Jones, the prevention of infectious diseases such as rabies and bird flu should involve two health sectors namely human and animal health.

He was of the opinion that mitigation and prevention in the form of mass vaccination against rabies in Bali by the local government were of great importance.

Jones said mass vaccination in the island resort of Bali in reality was effective enough to reduce the spread of rabies to 50 percent.

"With such an activity we can arrange another long term programs
to suppress and control infectious diseases in Indonesia," Jones said.

On the occasion, the US assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs announced
the delivery of aid funds amounting to US$500,000 from the US government to Indonesia for rabies prevention

"The assistance will be provided through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help Bali to remain free from rabies," Jones said.

Jones is currently in Bali to obtain first hand information about rabies vaccination at Gulingan village in Badung district.

His visit to Bali is to ascertain and observe the USAID assistance program in the response to rabies in the province.(*)