BULELENG, Bali — A seven-year-old boy has died in northern Bali after developing symptoms consistent with rabies, around two months after he was bitten by a family dog and did not receive anti-rabies vaccination.

The boy, identified by his initials GEW, was from Bubunan Village in Seririt, Buleleng.

According to Buleleng Health Agency head Sucipto, GEW was bitten on his left calf by a family dog in early June. He was not taken to a health facility to receive anti-rabies vaccination after the incident.

GEW began developing symptoms on Thursday, August 6. He was initially taken to a midwife and given medication for fever and vitamins, but his condition did not improve.

The following day, his family took him to Tangguwisia Regional Hospital in Seririt at around 11.45am.

Doctors found symptoms considered consistent with rabies, including hydrophobia, sensitivity to air movement, excessive salivation, sensitivity to light and agitation.

The hospital diagnosed him as a suspected rabies case and referred him to Buleleng Regional Hospital.

GEW arrived at the hospital at around 3.30pm on Friday. He died in the emergency department at approximately 5.31pm, Sucipto said.

Dog was killed after the bite

Health officials later traced the boy’s history and found that the dog was a local dog kept by the family.

The dog was killed and buried by the family after biting GEW, meaning it could not be observed to determine whether it had been infected with rabies.

The bite was also not reported to a health facility or animal health officers. The family initially considered the wound minor and did not seek further medical treatment.

GEW’s younger sibling had also been bitten by the same dog.

Unlike GEW, the sibling received anti-rabies vaccination on August 7 after the incident came to the attention of health officials.

Sucipto urged residents not to underestimate bites or scratches from animals that can transmit rabies, even when the wound appears minor.

He said people who are bitten or scratched by suspected rabies-carrying animals should seek medical attention promptly.

Buleleng health officials are coordinating with agricultural and animal health authorities, local health centres and the Seririt district administration to investigate whether other people may have had contact with or been bitten by the same dog.