Australian tourist Flavia McDonald was vacationing in Bali with her husband and 12-year-old daughter, Lorena, to celebrate Father’s Day. After staying in Seminyak, the family decided to travel to Ubud because of better weather conditions. Their chosen destination was the Monkey Forest.
“My daughter had the idea to look for sunshine after heavy rain in Sydney as a surprise for her father on Father’s Day,” said Flavia, reported by detikTravel, Sunday (21/9/2025).
While walking in the area, a monkey jumped onto Flavia’s husband’s shoulder before leaping to Lorena’s. The incident left Lorena with a bleeding wound on her neck.
“She was scared, we couldn’t move all of a sudden. So the monkey started tugging at her clothes, her pockets and her body. When I tried to drive her away, the monkey bit Lorena’s neck,” Flavia recalled.
Initial Response on Site
Following the bite, Lorena received first aid at the Monkey Forest post. According to Flavia, staff only cleaned the wound with water and soap. The family was also assured that the monkeys in the area were free from rabies.
Unsatisfied with this treatment, Flavia brought her daughter to a clinic for further medical care.
“Then I was surprised again when I received a medical bill of Rp 69 million (or equivalent to USD 4,165.69),” he said.
Rabies Injection and Medical Costs
At the clinic, Lorena received rabies injections as well as treatment for a herpes B virus infection. Flavia stated that although she had travel insurance, she was required to cover the medical expenses upfront.
“It’s ridiculous,” she said.
Reports later circulated that the total bill reached Rp69 million, which drew public attention. The clinic has since clarified that the actual amount was lower.
Clinic’s Clarification
Ni Putu Grace Lande, legal consultant and shareholder of the clinic, explained that the patient was administered Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG), not the standard rabies vaccine (VAR). HRIG, or anti-rabies serum, provides immediate immunity after an animal bite, unlike rabies vaccine which requires time to build protection.
“The total cost paid by patients is IDR 48,686,452, not as stated in the news, which is IDR 69,286,452,” Grace told detikBali, Monday (22/9/2025).
“HRIG will neutralize the virus in a matter of hours. Especially because the patient has a wound in the neck area where the area is very close to the head (central nervous system) and is at a higher risk of getting rabies symptoms,” explained Grace.
Grace said HRIG is used for category III wounds, defined as bleeding injuries. Since Lorena’s wound was located on her neck close to the brain, the administration of HRIG was considered medically appropriate.
She detailed that the cost of Rp48.6 million was derived from the price of HRIG, which is around Rp3.2 million per vial, along with procedural fees and consumables such as gauze and medical equipment. One vial of HRIG is sufficient only for 15 kilograms of body weight, meaning the number of vials administered was adjusted to the patient’s weight.
“The price is indeed expensive when compared to health centers and hospitals because they use BPJS and government tariffs. Especially considering the patient’s weight, 4 vials of SAR/HRIG are needed,” he said.
Final Statement
Grace emphasized that the medical procedures followed standard guidelines for treating serious animal bites. She also underlined that the total amount paid by the patient reflected the correct medical requirements.
With this clarification, the clinic reaffirmed that the charges for the treatment of the monkey bite case in Ubud were Rp48.6 million, not Rp69 million as initially reported.
