BALI ALLOCATES RP16.07 BILLION TO MANAGE RABIES

Denpasar, Bali, Jan 25 (ANTARA) - Bali's provincial administration has allocated Rp16.07 billion from its budget for eradication of rabies in the region in 2010.

"The funds are to be channeled through the regional animal husbandry and animal health offices, and other activities," Bali provincial administration spokesman I Putu Suardhika said here on Monday.

Putu Suardhika said the allocation of such a big amount of funds was part of Governor Made Mangku Pastika's commitment to completely eradicate rabies in Bali.

"It is a serious effort and involve various parties, and it is expected that rabies will have been eradicated completely by 2012," Suardhika said.

He added that the efforts to eradicate or control rabies would be focused on vaccination and elimination of stray dogs across Bali.

Suardhika said that of the total of Rp16.07 billion of funds, Rp3.38 billion would be used among others for operational activities, health care and prevention of infectious diseases.

Despite mass dog culls aimed at preventing rabies outbreaks threating the tourist industry in Bali, the incidence of the canine disease on the resort island has continuously increased.

Since August 2009, the number of districts affected by the potentially fatal disease had more than tripled after first appearing in two districts in November the previous year.