In an effort to curb the spread of rabies, the Indonesian Veterinary Association (PDHI) Bali chapter continued efforts to locate and vaccinate unprotected stray dogs in Denpasar.
“During these sweeps, we are accompanied by pet lovers and community members who are familiar with the dogs’ history,” said I Dewa Made Anom, Chair of PDHI Bali, on Thursday.
This initiative follows mass vaccination campaigns carried out earlier this year, including a week-long program earlier this month at Mertasari Beach, Sanur. That campaign provided free rabies vaccinations and marked a continuation of efforts initiated on World Rabies Day in September. These activities also included population control measures and microchipping dogs to track vaccination history.
The targeted sweeps are intended to reach strays and household pets that missed the larger vaccination campaigns. To catch uncooperative strays, PDHI teams resort to using nets as a last resort, ensuring the dogs can safely receive the vaccine.
The sweeps will occur every Saturday with PDHI volunteers collaborating closely with concerned residents to meet Bali’s rabies elimination target by 2028, two years ahead of Indonesia’s national 2030 goal.
Rabies Endemic in Bali
Rabies remains a challenge in Bali, which is one of 26 provinces across Indonesia classified as rabies-endemic.
Data from the Bali Provincial Department of Agriculture and Food Security reveal that around 426,000 dogs—70.53% of the estimated 605,000 dog population—have been vaccinated. However, achieving full coverage is critical to breaking the virus’s transmission cycle.
Human fatalities, though declining, remain a stark reminder of the urgency. Bali reported nine deaths from rabies in 2023, down from 22 the year before. From January to September 2024, five cases were recorded.
“The sweeps are planned to continue every Saturday. We will deploy our members, thanks to the cooperation of the community concerned with eradicating rabies in Bali,” said Anom.
