Sarawak govt taking rabies outbreak seriously — Uggah By Abdul Hakim Bujang
KUCHING: The Sarawak state government has placed the rabies outbreak under State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), reflecting that the government takes this issue very seriously as a disaster.
This move allows the state government to mobilise its resources in a coordinated way between all relevant agencies to eradicate the disease, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is chairman of SDMC.
He stressed that the government swung into action immediately after the first case was detected and confirmed.
“The first Rabies Positive Human case reported was on the 30th of June, 2017. The first rabies positive cases in animal were on 4th of July, 2017. The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (Rabies Outbreak) had its first meeting on the 4th of July, 2017 after positive cases were confirmed in humans and dogs.
“Operation rooms were activated at Wisma Bapa Malaysia (centralised operation room), manned by State Disaster Management Committee, comprising Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak (Rapid Action Team, Surveillance, Vaccination, Animal Rabies Laboratory testing), and at the Sarawak State Health Department Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) and dog-bite clinics. In areas affected by rabies, the Residents and district officers are also on the ground,” he said.
Uggah said as of Aug 27 this year, a total of 75,544 animals had been vaccinated throughout Sarawak - 69,327 had their first dose of rabies vaccine and 6,217 were revaccinated.
“These animals were vaccinated by DVS Sarawak that was provided free. The figures exclude those vaccinated by private veterinarians. Throughout the state, anti-rabies vaccination of dogs has been ongoing almost every day and mass vaccinations (have been carried out) on weekends in areas with high dog population. A total of 146 mass vaccinations were carried out throughout the state up to this date and there is no letup as alleged by YB Chong. Even our YAB Datuk Patinggi Chief Minister (Abang Johari Tun Openg) attended our mass vaccination programmes,” Uggah revealed, in apparent reference to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s accusation widely published in the media yesterday.
Uggah also said DVS was currently doing the second round of booster vaccination in the 650km immune belt bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia to protect local community dogs.
“Similarly, booster and new vaccinations are carried out in the buffer zone of Sibu Division to prevent spread to other parts of Sarawak. Veterinary surveillances are being conducted at all major entry points,” he pointed out.
As rabies is included in the National Animal Disease Control and Eradication Programme, Uggah said the federal DVS is assisting the state by providing veterinary officers for surveillance, supply of vaccine, conducting rabies testing at the Veterinary Research Institute and training for the setting up of Sarawak’s own rabies testing facilities.
Uggah also revealed that as of Aug 7 this year, all tests for rabies are conducted in Sarawak’s own Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
“This has facilitated our deployment of our Rapid Action Team to outbreak areas,” he said, explaining that sending of samples to Ipoh for verification cost Sarawak RM1,500 each sample.
Uggah acknowledged that there was a gap in supply of rabies vaccine and personnel from federal DVS.
“We were informed by the director-general of DVS Malaysia on the 7th of June 2018 that there was no fund for sending their personnel to Sarawak, and requested DVS Sarawak to purchase vaccine using state fund.
“Subsequently, we requested fund from YAB Datuk Patinggi Chief Minister, who immediately approved the fund. That has enabled us to continue providing free anti-rabies vaccination. The support services from federal DVS only resumed on 15th August, 2018,” he explained.
Uggah stressed that engagements with the public and pet owners are crucial for effective rabies control.
“This includes responsible pet ownership including vaccination, and neutering of their pets which would drastically reduce the number of dogs and cats that could end up being abandoned and becoming strays,” he emphasised.
“Other equally important activities that are ongoing include awareness campaign through social media, print media, radio, official webpage and various campaigns throughout the state. We need public support in our effort to eradicate rabies,” he said.
He added that Sarawak views this rabies outbreak very seriously and spares no effort to control and eliminate this disease in the shortest possible time.
“So far, the state government has spent more than RM20 million in direct costs to combat this disease. We welcome sincere and constructive suggestions and views from any group, experts and individuals in our effort to control this disease,” he emphasised.