S’wak aims to vaccinate 70% of dog population

KUCHING: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak is targeting to have 70 per cent of the dog population in the state vaccinated against rabies this year.

In disclosing this yesterday, DVS Sarawak veterinary officer Dr Ainul Riza Abu Seman said 100,500 dogs statewide were vaccinated between July 2017 and Dec 31 last year.

“We aim to have 70 per cent of the dog population vaccinated this year in the effort to fight rabies.

“All divisions in Sarawak except Limbang have been declared as rabies-affected zone. We also conduct vaccination exercise in Limbang although it is still free from rabies and we would like to keep it that way,” she said when met at an anti-rabies vaccination programme held at the Kenyalang Park Community Association Centre here.

The department had prepared 500 doses of vaccine for the programme which ran from 9am to 2pm.

Dr Ainul recalled that a similar programme she took part in the last time saw 300 doses of vaccine used.

The programme yesterday was the first to be carried out for 2019 with more anti-rabies vaccination programmes planned later.

During these programmes, dog owners do not have to pay for the anti-rabies vaccine which would normally cost RM65 per dose at the animal clinics.

“Each dog has to be vaccinated once a year. Even though we have been promoting this programme on Facebook, it seems that many people are still not aware of it,” Dr Ainul lamented.

She observed that some people seemed to be ignorant of what rabies is despite the ongoing efforts by the department to promote rabies awareness.

She advised the public to keep a distance if they come across stray dogs roaming on the streets and if bitten by a dog, especially a stray, they must seek medical attention immediately.

“Go to a hospital as soon as possible if you are bitten by a dog.”

Dr Ainul appealed to dog owners to send their pets for anti-rabies vaccination rather than thinking that it would be okay if they just keep their dogs inside the house compound.

“They must vaccinate their dogs because you won’t know what the dog is going to do when it gets near to the gate,” she said.

She added that dog owners who missed out on the free anti-rabies vaccination programme could make an appointment with the various veterinary services offices in the state.

As of 3pm yesterday, Dr Ainul said 43 dogs received their first dose of vaccine and 37 dogs had their annual boosters during the five-hour campaign.

Members of the public especially dog owners can call 082-628255 (Kuching), 083-322106 (Sri Aman), 084-330224 (Sibu), 085-411866 (Miri), 085-212177 (Limbang), 084-658129 (Sarikei), 084-798280 (Kapit), 084-871050 (Mukah), 086-335770 (Bintulu), 082-671221 (Samarahan), 083471622 (Betong) and 082-872870 (Serian) for further enquiries.

They can also contact the department headquarters at 082628248/628250 or the ops room at 082-612949/611486.

Alternatively, visit the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Facebook page for more information on rabies and antirabies vaccination programmes.