Sibu division takes measures to curb rabies

SIBU: The local authorities are taking measures to curb the spread of rabies disease in Sibu Division following the detection of rabiespositive dogs in Julau, about 56 km from here late last year.

State Housing and Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaée said the programme to take immediate effect today would see the removal of roaming dogs and vaccination of dogs in the division within a two-week period.

“Firstly, we will remove any roaming dogs from the street at the various hotspots that we have identified. Then, we will carry out the free vaccination of dogs,” he said.

“The first operation will be conducted in Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) area where vaccination will be done at the Sibu Jaya multi-purpose hall this weekend,” he told a media conference here yesterday.

He advised dog owners to bring their pets to the station for vaccination which would be carried out from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday.

“The dogs will be tagged and certified for having been vaccinated and the owners would be issued with a free license by the local authority if their dogs are unlicensed,” he said.

Dr Annuar, however, cautioned the dog owners who vaccinated their dogs would not be immediately free from rabies infection and they needed to keep their pets within their house compound for a month before the vaccine became fully effective.