MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has set a target of making North Sumatra a rabies-free province. To achieve this goal, the vaccination coverage of pets is expected to reach 80 percent. At the same time, the North Sumatra Provincial Government is strengthening measures to treat cases involving bites from rabies-transmitting animals (GHPR) and ensuring that treatment is optimally implemented in accordance with applicable standards across all regions.
So far, the indicator for standard-compliant treatment of GHPR cases has reached 96 percent in 30 of North Sumatra's 33 regencies and cities. The figure has significantly exceeded the initial target of 82 percent. The high treatment coverage provides an important foundation for further efforts to control rabies in the province.
Bobby Nasution conveyed the target when he received representatives of the North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) for a meeting at the North Sumatra Governor's Office, Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Monday, September 7, 2026.
According to Bobby, vaccinating pets is an important step in curbing the spread of rabies while also preventing bites from rabies-transmitting animals. The measure is becoming increasingly important as people live closely with various types of pets in their daily lives.
Vaccinations to Focus on Tourist Areas
Bobby said the government would pay particular attention to conducting rabies vaccinations in tourist areas. Protecting tourists must be part of the rabies prevention strategy, as animal bites in tourist destinations could have wider consequences.
The government wants to prevent tourists from being bitten by rabies-transmitting animals while visiting North Sumatra. Bobby believes that even a single case could affect tourists' perceptions and potentially have an impact on the tourism sector.
"Since we live alongside animals and they need to be vaccinated, we must vaccinate all animals in tourist areas so that tourists are not bitten and the safety and comfort of tourism are not compromised," Bobby said.
In addition to promoting pet vaccination, Bobby also welcomed the "Animal Husbandry Commitment Month" initiative and World Rabies Day (WRD) 2026, organized jointly by the North Sumatra branch of PDHI and the North Sumatra Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Office.
Bobby described the event as a concrete step toward addressing challenges in animal health as well as public health. The government hopes the series of activities will not only raise public awareness of rabies prevention but also help achieve an 80 percent vaccination rate among pets.
Through the event, the government is also pursuing its goal of making North Sumatra rabies-free. In addition, a simultaneous rabies vaccination campaign across the province is expected to contribute to an Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) record.
EARLY TREATMENT NEEDED FOR BITES FROM RABIES-TRANSMITTING ANIMALS: PDHI North Sumatra Chairman Chalikul Bahri emphasizes the importance of early treatment following bites from rabies-transmitting animals, including wound cleaning, injury classification, administration of VAR or SAR, and subsequent monitoring. (PHOTO: North Sumatra Communications and Informatics Office)
15,000 Animals Targeted for Vaccination
PDHI North Sumatra Chairman Chalikul Bahri officially invited Governor Bobby Nasution to attend the closing event of the "Animal Husbandry Commitment Month" and World Rabies Day 2026. The event, themed "Advanced Animal Husbandry, Rabies-Free North Sumatra," will be held from September 26 to 27, 2026, at the Astaka Field at Medan Sport Center on Jalan William Iskandar, Deli Serdang.
PDHI North Sumatra and the North Sumatra Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Office are organizing the program in response to the need for stronger development of the livestock sector and the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases that can threaten both animal and human health.
A key component of the program is a simultaneous mass rabies vaccination campaign across all regencies and cities. The organizers are targeting 15,000 animals capable of transmitting rabies (HPR) for vaccination.
The simultaneous implementation of vaccinations throughout the province is also expected to contribute to a MURI record. At the same time, the campaign aims to strengthen public awareness that rabies prevention requires collective and sustainable efforts.
Chalikul Bahri explained that rabies is largely preventable but can be fatal once symptoms appear. Therefore, the public must understand the importance of seeking immediate treatment after being bitten by an animal or coming into contact with an animal that may pose a rabies risk.
According to Chalikul, first aid includes immediately and properly cleaning the wound, correctly classifying the injury, administering rabies vaccine (VAR) or rabies immunoglobulin/serum (SAR), followed by monitoring.
"Implementation in the field requires appropriate expertise, logistical support and strong cross-sectoral cooperation," he said.
The statement underscores the importance of involving various stakeholders in rabies control. Not only medical personnel and veterinarians, but also local governments, animal owners, animal-lover communities and the wider public have important roles to play in preventing disease transmission.
MASS RABIES VACCINATION PREPARED: PDHI North Sumatra and the North Sumatra Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Office are preparing a mass rabies vaccination campaign targeting 15,000 animals capable of transmitting rabies (HPR) as part of the "Animal Husbandry Commitment Month" and World Rabies Day 2026. (PHOTO: North Sumatra Communications and Informatics Office)
Thousands of Visitors Expected
The "Animal Husbandry Commitment Month" and WRD 2026 will not be limited to rabies vaccination. The organizers are also preparing various competitions for the North Sumatra Governor's Cup to expand public education efforts while drawing greater attention to animal husbandry and animal health.
The program includes provincial competitions for cattle, as well as goats and sheep. The animals will be assessed based on physical performance, health condition and genetic characteristics.
In addition, the organizers will hold a pet competition featuring dogs and cats, a bird-singing competition, educational activities on animal husbandry with influencers, as well as an expo and market offering discounted prices.
Chalikul Bahri said the series of events is expected to attract around 5,000 visitors in person. Attendees are expected to come from various segments of society, including members of the general public, livestock farmers, pet owners and animal lovers, the "Kicau Mania" community, micro, small and medium enterprises, academics and industry representatives.
The organizers also expect around 1,000 participants to join the events through live broadcasts on the Zoom platform. By combining on-site and online participation, the organizers hope to deliver messages about rabies prevention and strengthening the livestock sector to an even wider audience.
The "Animal Husbandry Commitment Month" and World Rabies Day 2026 also provide a platform for the government and all stakeholders to strengthen public knowledge about animal health, food safety and the importance of preventing zoonotic diseases.
The government and relevant stakeholders are also reaffirming their commitment to the consumption of animal products that comply with ASUH principles - safe, healthy, wholesome and halal. These measures go hand in hand with the goal of building a more advanced livestock sector and making North Sumatra genuinely rabies-free.
By expanding animal vaccination, improving the treatment of GHPR cases and intensifying public education, the North Sumatra Provincial Government, PDHI and all relevant parties hope rabies control efforts will not end with World Rabies Day. The program is intended to become a sustainable movement that protects animal and human health, as well as the future of the tourism sector in North Sumatra. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala