Jembrana in Bali has recorded 71 positive rabies cases in animals through August 2026, up from 64 cases in July, according to local authorities.

The seven-case increase comes as authorities continue vaccination, sterilisation and population-control efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

I Gusti Ngurah Putu Sugiarta, head of the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Division at the Jembrana Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agency, said preventing the spread of rabies remains a priority.

“Our main priority is preventing the spread of the virus, both through vaccination and population control,” Sugiarta said during a sterilisation and vaccination programme in Negara on Friday (Aug. 28).

Cases Remain Below 2025 Total

Despite the increase, the number of positive rabies cases recorded through August remains below the 116 cases reported in Jembrana throughout 2025.

Sugiarta said the lower figure was encouraging, but authorities would not ease their prevention efforts.

“We do not want to become complacent again, based on our previous experience. We will continue to maximise efforts to prevent the spread through vaccination and population control, including sterilisation,” he said.

Vaccination Coverage Reaches 76 Percent

Jembrana has continued its rabies vaccination programme, with coverage reaching 76 percent of an estimated 40,400 dogs.

The figure is higher than the 72 percent coverage recorded in 2025. The local government is targeting 90 percent vaccination coverage this year.

Sugiarta said achieving the target would help build herd immunity among the dog population and reduce the risk of exposure and transmission.

He said reaching the target would require continued work by veterinary teams in the field, along with public participation in vaccination programmes.

Sterilisation Part of Prevention Efforts

Vaccination is being combined with population-control measures, including dog sterilisation.

A sterilisation and vaccination programme was held at Pendopo Kesari in Negara on Friday as part of efforts to control the population of rabies-transmitting animals and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Veterinary teams are continuing to encourage residents to vaccinate their dogs and cooperate with animal health officers during vaccination and sterilisation programmes.

With new cases still being detected, authorities are maintaining vaccination and population-control measures as part of their ongoing efforts to keep rabies under control in Jembrana.