Rabies Outbreak in Bali: Major Tourist Areas Designated High-Risk Zones
⚠️ Rabies Alert in Bali: What Travelers Need to Know
If you’re planning a trip to Bali, avoid contact with stray dogs or monkeys — and seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched.
Bali has recently expanded its rabies red zones, and once symptoms appear, the fatality rate is nearly 100%.
Prevention is the only protection.
🗺️ High-Risk Areas & Red Zones
Bali health authorities have designated the following areas as red zones in response to the rabies outbreak:
| Region | Status | 
|---|---|
| Kuta | Most areas now labeled as red zones | 
| Nusa Dua | High-risk area | 
| Jimbaran | Tourist-heavy area, vaccination underway | 
| Tanjung Benoa | Ongoing disinfection and vaccination | 
| Pererenan & Seseh Beaches (near Canggu) | Caution advised | 
| Monkey Forest in Ubud, Uluwatu Temple | Possible monkey-to-human transmission | 
🔴 What is a “Red Zone”?
A region automatically flagged when rabies cases are confirmed. Immediate quarantine, disinfection, and prevention measures are enforced.
⚠️ How Rabies Spreads & What to Watch For
| Topic | Details | 
|---|---|
| Transmission | Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals (commonly dogs or monkeys) entering through wounds or mucous membranes. | 
| Early Symptoms | Headache, anxiety, fever, muscle pain | 
| Advanced Symptoms | Hydrophobia (fear of water), hyperactivity, delirium | 
| Fatality Rate | Nearly 100% after symptom onset (Approx. 60,000 deaths globally each year – WHO) | 
🧪 How to Stay Safe
Rabies is 100% preventable before symptoms appear. Follow these safety rules:
- 
Avoid contact with stray dogs and monkeys - 
Watch children closely around animals 
 
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- 
If bitten or scratched: - 
Rinse the wound under running water for at least 15 minutes 
- 
Disinfect with antiseptic (e.g., Betadine) 
- 
Seek immediate medical care and get a rabies vaccination 
 
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Consider pre-travel vaccination - 
Recommended for long-term visitors or those heading to high-risk zones 
 
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🧬 Current Rabies Situation in Bali (Jan–Mar 2025)
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Animal bite cases: 8,801 reported 
- 
Confirmed deaths: At least 6 
- 
Dog vaccination rate in Denpasar: Only 2.75% - 
(2,266 vaccinated out of 74,000 dogs) 
 
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🌐 Government Travel Advisories
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USA, UK, and Australia have issued rabies warnings for travelers to Bali 
- 
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urges caution 
🧳 Quick Safety Guide for Tourists
| Situation | What to Do | 
|---|---|
| Bitten or scratched | Wash thoroughly, disinfect, and visit a doctor ASAP | 
| Want to be vaccinated | Consult a travel clinic before departure (3 doses needed) | 
| Thinking of petting animals | Don’t. Avoid contact, especially with strays and monkeys | 
| Visiting red zones | Be alert in Kuta, Nusa Dua, and other marked areas | 



Related news and articles
- https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3319178/rabies-fears-rise-indonesias-bali-tourist-hotspots-declared-red-zones
- https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/rabies-warning-for-tourists-heading-to-bali-as-authorities-increase-vaccination-rates-c-19436132
- https://7news.com.au/news/bali-tourists-warned-of-rabies-risk-as-cases-surge-and-red-zones-declared-in-the-holiday-hot-spot–c-19434549
✈️ Stay safe, stay smart — and make your trip to Bali memorable for all the right reasons.