Rabies Claims More Lives In West Sumatra

Padang (Antara Bali) - Rabies have claimed more lives with 14 people died  in the first 11 months of the year, up from 10 in the whole of last year.

Rabies cases have been found in the provincial city of Padang, and the regencies of Tanah Datar, Pesisir Selatan, Soko  and  Limapuluh, head of the regional health office dr. Rosnini Savitri said here on Monday.

Only the regency of Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra is free from rabies, Rosnini said.

She attributed the high rate of rabies cases in West Sumatra to lack of awareness of the people of the deathly disease.

Many people choose to go to shamans while rabies needs immediate medical treatment, she said. (*/T007)