In Reply to: rabies a worry posted by lookoutcuster on Sunday, 21. February 2010 at 11:33 Bali Time:
From the little I know about rabies apparently culling is not effective in controlling rabies.
The following info is taken from the WHO website:
Dog destruction alone is not effective in rabies control. There is no evidence that removal of dogs alone has ever had a significant impact on dog population densities or the spread of rabies. In addition, dog removal may be unacceptable to local communities. However, the targeted and humane removal of unvaccinated, ownerless dogs may be effective when used as a supplementary measure to mass vaccination.
Mass canine vaccination campaigns have been the most effective measure for controlling canine rabies. High vaccination coverage (70% or higher) can be attained through comprehensive strategies consisting among others of well-designed educational campaigns, intersectoral cooperation, community participation, local commitment in planning and execution.
Surveillance of rabies is the basis for any programme of rabies control. Veterinary surveillance of rabies and laboratory submission of reports of suspected animal cases is also essential for management of potential human exposures and for veterinarians to adopt appropriate measures towards animals in contact with a suspected animal case.
Efforts should be made to fully incorporate rabies control activities in all levels of the health services, aligning them with other public health programmes such as the Expanded programme on immunization and those for tuberculosis and vector-borne diseases. In this manner, synergies between programmes improve logistical use of human, material and financial resources.
As far as travel agents not telling people it's not really up to them, they are not travel doctors. I went to India 2 years ago, India accounts for 80% of rabies in the world with 30,000 people dying from rabies there alone but people still travel there in the millions. You just need to keep things in perspective.