In Reply to: Well done posted by dana on Wednesday, 3. March 2010 at 08:52 Bali Time:
Here are some more quotes from WHO and just consider what is actually possible and practical in Bali now. To consider Malaysia or Japan is pointless: the first is a largely Muslim country with few dogs - very few feral, and the second is a well regulated country where I have never seen a loose dog.
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1. "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."
Which ,if any, of these strategies is likely to be achievable in any reasonable period of time?
2. "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."
With the limited facilities, skills and budget available, is this likely or even possible?
3. "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."
The human programmes here are in shambles let alone be capable of having synergies with animal programmes. If Indonesia could now improve logistical use of human, material and financial resources it would not be the country it now is.
WHO lives in an ideal world and we who are in Bali live in a world of very non-ideal practicalities.
As to my knowledge of rabies may I say that I spent 15 years as a medical scientist and head of medical preclinical sciences, have been nearly 30 years as a veterinary surgeon, have taught university courses in Zoonoses, and have 20 years experience in Bali. I will put my practical knowledge up against any fly in fly out 'expert'.