CDC Report: Rabies in Bali, Indonesia

The Centers for Disease Control released the following Outbreak Notice on December 22, 2008:

"On December 18, 2008, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture reported to the World Organization for Animal Health an ongoing outbreak of rabies in dogs on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Rabies has been confirmed in dogs from at least two villages near popular tourist destinations on the southern tip of Bali. At this stage rabies has been identified in animals in only one district but CDC advises travelers to take precautions on the entire island.

"The following activities may put travelers to Bali at higher risk for rabies:

• Working closely with animals of unknown rabies exposure or vaccination history.
• Spending a lot of time in a rural area or doing outdoor activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. These activities increase the risk for coming in contact with animals.
• Touching or playing with animals.
• Adopting animals with the intention of bringing them home to the United States.

Information About Rabies

"A threat to both human and animal health, rabies is a rapidly progressing, deadly disease. It is almost always spread by an animal bite. Rabies can also be spread when a rabid animal’s saliva gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. The primary sources of human infection worldwide are dogs and certain wildlife species, such as foxes, raccoons, mongooses, and bats.

"Each year throughout the world, rabies kills approximately 50,000 people, mostly children. The risk of rabies from domestic animals is lower for people in the United States. For people who travel to other parts of the world, the risk of rabies may be higher. Therefore, all travelers should know how to protect themselves from this disease."

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in Indonesia: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in Indonesia: "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in Indonesia: "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in Indonesia should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in Indonesia: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

How We Can Help

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