A resident of Munduk village, I Kadek Sugiartama, tragically died from rabies after being bitten by a dog six months prior to his death. The incident has raised serious concerns about rabies awareness and preventive measures within the local community.
Dr. Putu Arya Nugraha, the Director of RSUD Buleleng, confirmed the case, stating, "The patient was received on Saturday evening, already in a life-threatening condition." I Kadek Sugiartama, 35, had shown symptoms consistent with rabies, such as agitation, high fever, and sensitivity to light and water, after neglecting to seek medical treatment following the dog bite.
The bite incident occurred at Pasar Pancasari, Sukasada, where Sugiartama was attacked by a stray dog. Remarkably, it was only after six months of no reported health issues following the bite, he developed alarming symptoms. Eventually, family members, noticing his declining health, decided to bring him to RSUD Buleleng on February 22, 2025.
Upon arrival at the hospital, his condition had worsened significantly, leading to his untimely death on February 24, 2025, at 2:00 AM. Dr. Arya explained the severity of the situation, indicating, "The symptoms exhibited are very characteristic of rabies." This tragic outcome has underscored the importance of timely medical intervention following animal bites.
Prior to this incident, I Nengah Sudira, the Perbekel of Munduk, expressed shock at the news. He stated, "We will conduct contact tracing to minimize the risk of rabies transmission," highlighting the village's lack of previous reports of dog bite incidents. The community is now grappling with the ramifications of this tragedy.
According to Sudira, many had been unaware of the potential dangers posed by stray animals, remarking, "There were no prior reports of dog bites from our village." Sugiartama's family assumed the bite was minor due to the size of the wound, leading to their decision not to seek rabies vaccinations immediately after the attack.
The local health department has now taken action, conducting investigations surrounding the case and identifying 19 individuals who had close contact with Sugiartama. These individuals are being offered rabies vaccinations to curb any potential spread of the virus.
The tragic passing of I Kadek Sugiartama has catalyzed discussions about animal control and public health efforts in Buleleng. Health officials are stressing the importance of vaccination not only for humans exposed to rabies risk but also for pets and stray animals to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangerous repercussions stemming from rabies, particularly when preventive measures and timely medical care are not pursued adequately. The village and its health officials are determined to prevent any future rabies cases by promoting awareness and vaccination efforts.