Suspected Rabies Case Recorded In Bali: Here’s What Tourists Need To Know

The Bali Health Office has confirmed that this was an at-risk rabies case and the three children have been treated accordingly. 

Official Health Briefing & Regional Context

Dog bites are a common occurrence in Bali. While many families and local residents have trained pet dogs, many areas of Bali are home to what are referred to as community-owned dogs, alongside free-roaming strays.

Community-owned dogs do not have one specific owner, but are known to the community and are cared for on an informal basis. 

Even in 2026, rabies is a serious issue in Bali and all across Indonesia. According to the World Health Organisation, rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 deaths every year in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.

Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is 100% fatal, and in 99% of cases, the reported deaths each year can be traced back to dog bites. 

In Bali, while rabies deaths are dropping each year, cases are still being reported. Last year, a middle-aged father and a four-year-old girl lost their lives to rabies in separate incidents.

Advisory Context & Precautionary Guidance

Rabies is rare, but it is most prevalent in West Bali. In 2025, there were 49 cases of rabies detected between January and the end of May. Data for 2026 has yet to be released. 

The case reported in Buleleng Regency this week involved three local children who were attacked by a street dog while they were out playing.

Local grandmother, Doris Alwi, told reporters that her 6-year-old grandson was the first of the three children to be bitten. The young boy had to have six stitches in his leg.

She told reporters, “My grandson was bitten next to the house while playing with his friends. The dog immediately bit him.” Alwi immediately took her grandson to Kertha Usada Hospital, where the wound was treated, and the anti-rabies post-exposure protocol was initiated. 

The same dog is reported to have attacked two other children around 30 minutes later, with the attack caught on CCTV. Both children have also received anti-rabies post-exposure treatment. The dog in question was located by the community and euthanized.

Medical Care Access & Travel Insurance Guidance

The Head of the Buleleng Regency Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security Service, Gede Melandrat, confirmed that after reviewing the CCTV footage, the dog attacked the children without any provocation. “The children didn’t bother the dog, but instead came and bit it. Behaviorally, there were indications of a rabid dog.” 

He explained that examinations to confirm rabies in animals must be carried out using brain tissue samples taken a maximum of two hours after the animal has died. However, the report was received by officers after the deadline, and laboratory testing could not be carried out, so the rabies status of the dog could not be confirmed. Nevertheless, when it comes to rabies, no risks are to be taken. 

Melandrat told reporters that the Buleleng Regency Government will continue to take preventive measures by making the area around the incident a priority for rabies vaccinations. “We will prioritize that area for vaccination because we don’t know if the dog had contact with or bit another dog.”

This incident is a timely reminder for tourists traveling to Bali to take the risks of rabies seriously and take important steps to protect themselves while on vacation on the island. Tourists must ensure that their travel insurance policy includes cover for rabies exposure or be aware of any specific exemptions or exclusions regarding the disease. 

Tourists who have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of a potentially rabies-carrying animal, including dogs or monkeys in Bali, should follow the guidelines outlined by the World Health Organisation and seek immediate medical treatment. 

What It Means for Travelers

Health authorities confirm that standard travel to Bali remains safe and uninterrupted. Visitors are encouraged to maintain sensible tropical mosquito precautions—such as using insect repellent and selecting air-conditioned accommodations—and ensure active international travel insurance coverage.