July 23, 2025, 3:45 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Bali’s paradise beaches attract millions of tourists each year, but a serious health warning is currently overshadowing the popular vacation island: The number of rabies cases is rising, especially in areas that are particularly appealing to travelers. Anyone planning a trip to Bali or already there should be especially vigilant—not just around stray dogs, but also monkeys.
Rabies cases are increasing in Bali, according to local media reports. The district of South Kuta, home to tourist hubs like Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, is particularly affected. The beaches popular with surfers, such as Pererenan and Seseh near Canggu, are also considered risk areas.
Dogs and Monkeys as Possible Rabies Carriers in Bali
According to the newspaper “Bali Sun,” the responsible veterinary office has ordered immediate mass vaccinations for stray dogs in the affected regions. This follows several dog bites from animals confirmed to be rabid. Some countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and Australia, have already warned their citizens about the increasing rabies threat in Bali, as reported by Australian media.
Not only dogs but also monkeys are considered potential carriers of the dangerous virus. While comprehensive rabies prevention programs exist at well-known tourist attractions like the Monkey Forest in Ubud and the Uluwatu Temple, the private Tropical Institute Dr. Gontard advises on its website: Anyone who has been bitten or scratched should seek medical attention.
Also of interest: What vaccinations do I need for a trip to Bali?
What Is Rabies – and How Is It Transmitted?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system and is usually transmitted through contact with the saliva of infected animals. This typically occurs through bites, but also through scratches or licking of open wounds or mucous membranes. Early treatment can often prevent the disease.
It is crucial to seek medical help immediately if contact with a potentially infected animal has occurred. The symptoms are insidious: Once the first symptoms appear–including headaches, anxiety, fever, or a tingling sensation near the bite site–rabies is usually fatal in both animals and humans.
Vaccination Provides Effective Protection
The safest protection against rabies is a preventive vaccination, which typically consists of three doses. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) at the Robert Koch Institute recommends that travelers to Indonesia or other rabies-endemic areas get vaccinated depending on planned activities and local conditions. Those unsure should seek advice at a tropical medicine center well before their trip.
According to 2018 estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 60,000 people die from rabies each year–most of them in Asia and Africa. In about 99 percent of cases, dogs transmit the virus.
With material from dpa