Rabies awareness still low among Sarawakians, says Uggah

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is determined to increase rabies awareness among communities in Sarawak.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said although the relevant authorities have moved beyond distributing fliers to educate the public on rabies by setting up websites, Facebook and Instagram accounts, WhatsApp groups, portals and conducting face-toface programmes, the awareness level on the disease among Sarawakians still appear quite low.

“I would like to reiterate here that we will increase the publicity on rabies awareness,” he said after chairing a State Disaster Management Committee meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

He, however, did not elaborate on the how the government will to go about their plan.

Meanwhile, Uggah conveyed the Sarawak government’s condolence to the family to the latest human rabies fatality, calling the 13th recorded death as ‘very sad’.

“The victim seemed not to be aware on how to react after he was bitten by the dog. He did not do anything (to treat the wound).

“Unfortunately, the dog was a (rabies) carrier and it is a very sad ending,” he said.

He advised the public to immediately wash the wound under running water for at least 15 minutes if they are bitten by a dog or cat, and to head directly to the hospital after that.

According to him, all hospitals in Sarawak now have fullyequipped rabies clinic with competent personnel and vaccine available.

He also reminded private doctors to advise those who seek treatment from them for dog bite to head to the nearest government rabies clinic for treatment.

“I have to give this reminder because there was one incident earlier, whereby a patient went to a private doctor and he was given normal tetanus injection and did not advise him to go to the (rabies) clinic.

“That case was also fatal. So we need the cooperation and collaboration of everyone on this matter.”

Uggah noted that the government has also intensified its vaccination programme, having mobilised all 28 officers that it had just recruited.

“We are also talking to Sabah on whether they can assist with their manpower,” he said.

Apart from carrying out rabies vaccination programmes, he said the government is also doing targeted removal of strays, and called on dog owners to ensure their pets stay in their house compound.

“Don’t allow your dogs out as they may end up becoming affected by rabies.

“For us, the priority is to save human lives and we will therefore continue with the targeted removal of stray dogs on the street in all towns in Sarawak,” he said.