TOURISTS are being warned to avoid any type of contact with street dogs in Bali following the 40th suspected human death from the island’s chronic rabies epidemic.
A 45-year-old Balinese woman, Ni Ketut Ardini, from the village of Sanda in Pupuan, died on Monday, March 8, shortly after her admission to the Tabanan Hospital in West Bali.
Dr Gede Sudiartha told the local media that, after being treated for only 12 hours in an isolation ward of the hospital, Ardini succumbed to suspected rabies, which is expected to be verified by by laboratory tests. Upon admission the woman exhibited symptoms including foaming from the mouth, aggressive behavior, respiratory difficulties, an inability to swallow and nausea.
Bali Update reports initial tests of the woman’s saliva and eye fluids have been negative for the rabies virus. Brain fluids drawn from the dead woman’s body are still being tested by medical experts.
About six weeks prior to her death, the woman suffered a dog bite from a family pet on the fingers of her left hand. Refusing medical treatment the woman only washed the wound with soap and water.
The same dog reportedly bit four other family members who remain in good health. As a medical precaution, the four bite victims have now been given anti-rabies serum.
The latest death has precipitated more calls for a massive culling of dogs in Tabanan and other area of Bali. On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, a total of 88 dogs were destroyed in the Banjar Bumi Ayu area of West Bali, including street dogs and a number of vaccinated dogs netted on the street during the sweeping action carried out by animal control officers and local villagers.
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