From Cats to Monkeys, Everyone Gets Vaccinated at WRD 2023

One of them was Boyke who brought his two cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Previously, he received information regarding the rabies vaccine via DKPP's Instagram.

"We really hope that this free vaccination and examination can be held every year. Especially castration, it really helps us pet owners," said Boyke.

Meanwhile, Sri, one of the owners of a Persian cat, also brought her beloved animal to be vaccinated.

"At first I wanted to bring two cats, but because I was alone it was a bit complicated. In the end I only brought one to vaccinate. At home I have five cats," said Sri.

He admitted that he received information about the free rabies vaccine from his friend exactly 2 days before the implementation. Then, he got a link to register his cat.

"I immediately registered, thank God I still had the quota. So I was able to come here today. I didn't expect it to be this busy, so enthusiastic. My cat met lots of friends, but he was a bit scared," he exclaimed.

Sri hopes that activities like this can be carried out frequently by the Bandung City Government (Pemkot). Because for him, vaccination is very crucial. Especially for those who have lots of pets at home.

"It's not just the cat's health, but it is also related to the health of the residents in the house. So that everyone is healthy and comfortable. Then, the information can be further expanded, I'm afraid there are those who really need it but they don't know the information," said Sri.

Rabies vaccination activities and free animal examinations are a series of events from World Rabies Day (WRD).

In today's closing event, the Head of the Bandung City DKPP, Gin Gin Ginanjar, said that throughout this month his party had carried out many activities ranging from education, campaigns, outreach to schools and the community.

"Then what is certain is that for almost a full month we provide free rabies vaccines including castration. This is an effort so that we both understand the dangers of rabies again," said Gin Gin.

Apart from the WRD warning, DKPP also held a Cheap Food Movement at the DKPP office. The various types of food that are present are imported directly from distributors and farmers.

"The prices received by the community are much cheaper. This is to help the community at a time when overall food prices have almost risen," he explained.

Responding to WRD 2023 activities, Assistant for Economy and Development for the City of Bandung, Eric M Attauriq, said that there are certain animals that are under government monitoring because they can carry and spread the rabies virus.

"This virus can attack the central nervous system, causing dangerous diseases in humans, and can even cause death," explained Eric.

He explained that the rabies virus can be transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vectors of this virus are warm-blooded animals that are well known to the public, such as dogs, cats, monkeys and ferrets.

"Therefore, in commemoration of WRD 2023, we urge people who keep these animals to regularly check their pets' health at the vet and provide rabies vaccinations," he explained.

Even though to date there are still zero cases of rabies in the city of Bandung, Eric said that the level of awareness regarding the transmission of rabies must remain high.

He admitted that community services for rabies were still very lacking. On that basis, the Bandung City Government has had the Laman Hati program (Integrated Animal Safety Management Services) as an effort to build good animal health management in the City of Bandung.

"Consisting of data collection processes, educational outreach, vaccination, population monitoring, rapid reaction units, building feed security, and building the role of communication regarding animal health awareness," he added. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office

Yayan A. Brilyana