No rabies detected in Sabah since 1881

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department has prepared vaccines and increased monitoring for rabies with the Sabah Veterinary Services and Animal Industry Department (JPHPT) even though no positive infections of rabies from dogs have been detected since 1881 in Sabah.

In a statement released here yesterday, Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi reaffirmed that the collaboration between the departments had long been established and findings of rabies surveillance had been shared with JPHPT since 2015.

“A total of 37 dog bite cases had been reported in 2015, 78 bite cases in 2016 and, as of July 7, 2017, 59 bite cases have been reported,” said Rundi in a statement here yesterday.

“To date, all the patients have not shown any rabies symptoms and monitoring by JPHPT on biting dogs has also not shown any signs of rabies.

“Following the epidemic in Sarawak, the Sabah Health Department has further improved monitoring and control as well as ensuring that the public are given health education through posters and leaflets distribution on the rabies disease, bite prevention and basic treatment for children and adults. Preparedness against rabies disease includes the provision of anti-rabies vaccine for human,” she explained.

Rundi informed that the preventable rabies is caused by Lyssavirus infection from animals such as dogs that are infected with rabies. She said rabies is transmitted through bite wounds, scratches or direct contact with saliva, fluid or body tissues of the infected animals. She added that the virus will spread to and attack the brain through the nervous system and symptoms, including fever, body aches and headaches, hydrophobia (fear of water), paralysis and coma, will show after three weeks to two months of incubation period from rabid animal bites.

“The Sabah Health Department would also like to advise the public, especially those living on the borders of the rabies epidemic areas, to take precautionary measures,” said Dr Rundi.

“To avoid rabies infection, get immediate treatment at a nearby health clinic or hospital if you experience dog bites from pets and wild dogs. Report to the local authorities if there are wild dogs roaming around the residential areas. Always maintain a high level of personal hygiene such as washing hands regularly with water and soap after making contact with pet dogs,” she concluded.