REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- The Health Ministry has decided to import anti-rabies vaccines, considering the widespread incidence of rabies in Indonesia.

"We have taken every possible measure to prevent rabies from spreading in the country, including importing anti-rabies vaccines from overseas, as our own stock is limited," said Health Minister Nila Farid Moeloek during a working visit to Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

She explained that the global allocation for this particular vaccine has been calculated and Indonesia has its own quota.

"As per information we received, in West Kalimantan, the rabies virus has spread in eight regencies and the case of the Senakin village is the latest one. A total of 21 people have died of the affliction," she revealed.

The West Kalimantan Animal Health Services have reported to the minister that the province is currently in need of 2,500 vaccines while only 1,000 were available.

"We will make serious efforts to fulfill the demand for anti-rabies vaccines in West Kalimantan in order to prevent the disease from spreading," the minister assured.

Based on the ministry's calculation, Indonesia currently has the required stocks of anti-rabies vaccines though it is rather difficult to predict what may happen in the future, she added.

Moeloek cited the extraordinary spread of rabies in Bali because a lot of people were bitten by dogs. A similar occurrence was noticed recently in West Kalimantan.

On the same occasion, head of West Kalimantan Animal Health Services Abdul Manaf Mustafa said his office has coordinated with the superintendents of areas affected by rabies to vaccinate the animals.

The Health Ministry has also urged for coordination with local government in West Kalimantan and asked that citizens be administered vaccines. The Agriculture Minister was also urged to ensure that animals were vaccinated.

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