REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR -- The ongoing mass vaccination program against rabies in Bali has covered some 45 percent of the total dog population on the island so far, stated an official.

By June 9, at least 160 thousand dogs were vaccinated, or about 45 percent of the total 350 thousand dogs to be targeted, Putu Sumantra, the head of the Balinese animal husbandry and animal health office, stated here on Wednesday.

Sumantra expressed optimism that the target can be achieved since the program, which started on April 15, will be carried out until July 31, 2014.

"The program has been conducted in 1.6 thousand villages of the total three thousand villages that will be targeted," he said.

Sumantra called on the public to make the program successful by taking their dogs for vaccination against rabies.

A total budget of Rp12 billion has been allocated for the fifth mass vaccination program against rabies, which is part of the government's effort to make Bali free from rabies.

Of the Rp12 billion, Rp5.6 billion is from Bali's budget and Rp6.4 billion is from the state budget.

The number of dog bite cases in Bali tended to increase, which is more than 100 cases per day, Dr Ketut Suarjaya, the head of the Health Office of Bali, recently remarked.

Bali has resolved to become rabies-free by the year 2015 in order to maintain its reputation as the world's most famous resort island. Nationally, the central government has targeted the entire country to become rabies-free by 2020.

Over the past few years, Bali authorities have routinely carried out mass vaccination programs against rabies, targeting stray and domestic dogs.

"We have deployed 90 staff members during the ongoing mass vaccination program," Putu Sumantra recently noted.

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