Spatial Analysis of Rabies Cases in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia during 2021-2024

The West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, has been an endemic rabies region since its initial rabies incident in 1953. This study aimed to analyze spatial patterns for rabies cases in animals in 19 districts/cities in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Secondary data on rabies-positive cases in animals were identified in 198 samples through the Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) obtained from the Bukittinggi Veterinary Center’s database from 2021 to 2024. Statistical and spatial analyses were conducted in R Software v.4.4.2. The Moran’s Index revealed a cluster distribution of rabies cases throughout the study period. The highest prevalence occurs in Lima Puluh Kota District (28.79%). The index indicated four regions as high-high quadrants, three regions as low-high quadrants, 11 regions as low-low quadrants, and one region as a high-low quadrant. However, Lima Puluh Kota District was consistently found as a region with substantial local spatial autocorrelation. In conclusion, the prevalence of rabies cases in animals in West Sumatra Province fluctuated during 2021-2024. Spatial analysis with Moran’s Index and Local Indicator of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA) indicated a cluster distribution of the disease. The current study underscored the need for targeted, location-specific control measures in these high-risk clusters to effectively mitigate the spread of the disease.