BALI, INDONESIA (AP) -- A rabies epidemic has gripped one of Asia's top tourist destinations, the Indonesian island of Bali.
Oficially, there have been 78 deaths in the past two years and many other deaths have likely gone unreported. In a highly criticized move, officials killed about 200,000 dogs, instead of initially conducting mass vaccinations as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Stocks of an anti-rabies vaccine for humans are low and could run out. Hospitals across Bali have faced periodic shortages of free post-exposure vaccines, leaving poor residents with few options.
Several countries have issued travel warnings advising vacationers to consider getting pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
Rabies kills some 55,000 people annually - mostly children - with nearly 60 percent of those deaths from dog bites in Asia.
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