LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The threat of rabies should not be underestimated. To prevent the possible transmission of the deadly disease, which can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected animals, the Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency Food Security and Agriculture Agency organized a rabies vaccination campaign simultaneously across North Sumatra on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The campaign was held as part of Livestock Promotion Month and World Rabies Day and was carried out by the Livestock Division of the Labuhanbatu Selatan
Food Security and Agriculture Agency. The vaccination campaign in the
Kotapinang area was also attended by
Kotapinang Subdistrict Head Mirwan Sentosa Siregar.
The vaccination program is part of government efforts to provide better protection for pets and reduce the risk of rabies transmission to humans. Authorities are urging residents not to wait for a rabies case to occur, but instead to take preventive measures at an early stage.
Raising Awareness Among Pet Owners
Head of the Labuhanbatu Selatan Food Security and Agriculture Agency Sabrina Pulungan, SP, urged residents to pay greater attention to the health of their pets. According to her, pet owners' awareness of proper animal healthcare is an important factor in preventing the risk of rabies in the community.
Rabies vaccination protects animals, particularly dogs and cats, against the disease. Pet owners are therefore encouraged to ensure that their animals are vaccinated in accordance with applicable requirements and recommendations.
Attention to animal health is becoming increasingly important amid frequent contact between humans and pets. Unvaccinated dogs and cats can pose a risk if they become infected with rabies and subsequently bite humans or other animals.
Early prevention also helps raise awareness of responsible pet ownership. In addition to providing adequate nutrition and maintaining their animals' physical condition, pet owners should monitor their pets' vaccination status and behavior in their daily surroundings.
This is particularly important in areas where large numbers of dogs and cats are kept. Through vaccination, the government and the community can work together to build stronger protection while reducing the risk of the spread of this potentially fatal disease.
RAISING AWARENESS OF RABIES RISKS: Head of the Labuhanbatu Selatan
Food Security and Agriculture Agency Sabrina Pulungan, SP, urges residents to pay greater attention to the health and vaccination of their pets to reduce the risk of rabies. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Kotapinang Subdistrict Head Urges Vigilance
Kotapinang Subdistrict Head Mirwan Sentosa Siregar expressed hope that the
rabies vaccination campaign would strengthen preventive measures while also helping authorities identify animals that could potentially pose a danger to the community at an early stage.
He said residents needed to take preventive measures as early as possible. Free-roaming dogs that chase or potentially endanger people should receive particular attention.
Prevention is not solely the responsibility of the government or pet owners. The public can also contribute to creating a safer environment by reporting animals that may pose a threat to the relevant authorities.
The message conveyed by the authorities is straightforward: animal health is not only a concern for pet owners, but is also closely linked to the safety of the wider community.
Through the vaccination campaign, the government aims to strengthen public awareness that
rabies prevention requires the involvement of various parties. Pet owners, livestock officials, the regional government, subdistrict administration staff and the community can each contribute to reducing the risk of transmission.
Prevention is particularly important because rabies can affect humans following contact with an infected animal. Therefore, residents are advised to exercise caution when dealing with animals, especially when their health and vaccination status are unknown.
CALL FOR EARLY RABIES PREVENTION:
Kotapinang Subdistrict Head Mirwan Sentosa Siregar urges residents to take early preventive measures against animals that could pose a threat to public safety. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Vaccination Teams Visit Pet Owners
The Labuhanbatu Selatan
Food Security and Agriculture Agency is providing residents with an opportunity to register dogs and cats that have not yet received
rabies vaccination.
Pet owners can register their animals with the vaccination teams. Once a registration has been received, staff members will visit the location where the animal is kept and administer the vaccination on site.
The service model is intended to make
rabies vaccination more accessible to the public. Officials are not relying solely on pet owners to bring their animals to service centers, but are also supporting the vaccination campaign by making direct visits to registered pet owners.
The initiative is expected to further increase rabies vaccination coverage in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency. The more pets that receive vaccination, the more comprehensive the protection for the community can become, while the risk of rabies in the surrounding environment can be reduced.
The simultaneous vaccination campaign also serves as an opportunity to strengthen public awareness of the importance of prevention. The regional government is urging pet owners not to wait until someone is bitten or an animal develops health problems before taking action.
Through the Food Security and Agriculture Agency, the Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency Government continues to encourage residents to take an active role in maintaining the health of their pets. These efforts form part of a joint commitment to creating a safer environment for both people and animals.
Animal health is closely linked to public safety. When pets are healthy and protected, the risk of diseases transmitted by animals can also be reduced.
The rabies vaccination campaign in Labuhanbatu Selatan was therefore not merely an effort to administer vaccines to animals. It was also part of the government's broader efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of prevention, responsible pet ownership, and the protection of families and the environment.
The vaccination campaign held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, represents a joint step toward addressing the threat of rabies at an early stage. Through the participation of the government, relevant officials, pet owners and the wider community, efforts to control rabies are expected to continue sustainably.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala