8 PETS SHOW SYMPTOMS OF RABIES
They were detected during vaccination campaign
AT least eight pets were identified as hosts of the rabies virus during a mass vaccination campaign here yesterday. Sources close to the vaccination team deployed at four locations in the city said the infected animals were kept for containment and checks.
“The infected animals showed symptoms of contracting the virus as they were aggressive.
“Some pet dogs and cats had excessive saliva. Samples will be taken to conduct further tests,” the sources told the New Sunday Times at one of the locations of the two-day campaign, which ends today.
Serian District Council deputy chairman Dr Simon Sinang Bada said yesterday’s turnout was encouraging.
“As at noon, more than 1,000 pets, mostly dogs and cats, were vaccinated in the wake of the outbreak in Serian district.
“Usually, vaccinations will cost RM50 per animal, but the jab is free during the campaign.
“I am happy to see the turnout as it reflects the people’s desire to stop the spread of the virus.”
The campaign is at the Serian district community hall, Bubuk Gawing hall, Serian Veterinary Office and the Serian District Council.
Dr Simon said the campaign would contain the spread of the virus by creating buffer zones around villages declared as infected areas.
Pet owner Seriana Abdullah, 43, from Kampung Siantan here, said she came to the community hall early as she anticipated a large turnout.
“I brought all eight of my cats to be vaccinated. Although there are no cases in my village, it is better to take precaution.
“The campaign is a good effort by the authorities, especially for those with many pets and cannot afford to vaccinate them.”
The campaign is organised by the state Veterinary Services Department and Sarawak Veterinary Association in the wake of an outbreak of the disease, which resulted in the deaths of three children.
Jackson Maslan, 4, and his sister, Monica, 6, from Kampung Paon Rimu, became the first victims of the virus on July 4. The third victim was Alicesa Lorenna Nody, 7, from Kampung Lebur.
A fourth child, 5, was tested positive for the virus and is in critical condition at the paediatric intensive care unit of Sarawak General Hospital.
The state Disaster Management Committee secretariat said there were no new cases of rabies in the district.
In Kuala Lumpur, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said no new cases had been reported.
He said there were suspected cases, but the ministry did not wish to report them as it would cause alarm, preferring to wait for lab tests.
In Melaka, a 6-year-old boy who was admitted to Melaka Hospital on Wednesday is awaiting test results.
State Health director Dr Ghazali Othman said the boy, who was admitted for an upper respiratory tract infection, was bitten by a dog last month.
He said the boy, a Bidayuh from Sarawak, was bitten in his home state before coming here with his family.
He said the results would take time to process, adding that they would be out in a week or two.
The boy is in stable condition and is placed under observation pending the test results. Additional reporting by Jane Raj