‘No plans to quarantine Serian district’
KUCHING: There are no plans to quarantine Serian district as the rabies situation is under control.
A state Disaster Management Committee secretariat spokesman said efforts were focused on containing the virus via the vaccination programme.
The exercise, he said, involved victims who had been bitten by dogs and other animals, such as cats, monkeys and squirrels.
He was commenting on a statement by Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman that several areas in the state were expected to be quarantined due to the outbreak.
Tajuddin, however, had given his assurance that the quarantine order would not involve the entire district as it could affect the socio-economy of the people of Serian.
The secretariat also confirmed that there were no new cases of rabies until 5pm yesterday.
“The state Health Department has vaccinated 235 of the 332 victims who were bitten by animals.
“The state Veterinary Services Department had vaccinated 5,850 dogs, cats and other animals,” said the spokesman.
The New Straits Times learnt that the last batch of 6,000 doses of rabies vaccines for pets in Sarawak arrived in Kuching yesterday.
Some of the vaccines were rushed to Serian for the two-day mass vaccination campaign held since Saturday.
The campaign, which was jointly organised by DVS and the Sarawak Veterinary Association, was held at the Serian Community Hall, Bubuk Gawing Hall, Serian Veterinary Office and the Serian District Council.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Disaster Management Committee chairman, visited the four campaign venues.
Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president Datin Dona Drury-Wee urged pet owners to observe the official guidelines to help contain the virus.
“Those who have vaccinated their dogs and cats must keep their pets within their compound for at least 21 days.
“This is to allow the vaccine to take effect,” she said, adding that the vaccines used for the campaign were of high quality.