Rabies in Sibu at dangerous level
SIBU: The rabies situation in Sibu Division has reached an alarming point, with nearly half of the 104 random samples taken from stray dogs this year having tested positive for the disease, said Dr Annuar Rapaee.
The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing said the test results indicated that one of every two strays in the division was likely to be rabid and at risk of infecting other dogs.
“Based on this figure, I can say that everywhere in Sibu is a rabies hotspot,” he told reporters after officiating at the ‘Plogging, Covid19 and Rabies Outbreak Awareness and Road Safety Campaign’ at Kampung Nangka, here yesterday.
According to him, statistics from the Sibu Rabies Control Team showed a total of 1,801 stray dogs had been captured by the authorities so far this year.
Adding on, he said of the 1,350 dog-bite cases reported in the division so far this year, 1,213 were in Sibu district, 90 in Kanowit and 47 in Selangau.
Dr Annuar pointed out that while the local authorities and the Veterinary Department have taken preventive measures including organising awareness campaigns and free vaccination programmes, the people must be more vigilant toward the presence of stray dogs in their areas.
“What is more important is for the members of the public to take precautionary steps to avoid being bitten by dogs. If bitten, they must seek treatment at any nearby clinic or hospital immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the suggestion by Senator Robert Lau for regular updates and reminders on the rabies situation in the state to be made public on a weekly basis, Dr Annuar said this would need to be approved by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.
Lau, who was present at yesterday’s event, had recently suggested that the public be informed on the latest number of rabies cases as well as their localities, as a way to increase awareness on the disease.
The senator made the call after a 16-yearold girl was recently confirmed as the sixth person in Sarawak to die of rabies this year, raising the cumulative number of rabies fatalities in the state to 27 since an outbreak was declared on July 1, 2017.
On a related note, Sibu Resident’s Office together with Sarawak Digital Media E-Platform Association is organising a ‘Rabies Awareness Short Video Contest’.
Sibu Resident Charles Siaw said the contest, themed ‘Rabies-Free Sibu: Protect Your Family and Community’ is open to all Sarawakians.
“Entry is free. Participants are allowed to submit more than one entry with the video duration at a maximum of three minutes,” he told reporters after earlier attending the event with Dr Annuar and Lau.
The top three winners will receive cash prizes of RM1,500, RM800 and RM500 respectively, while five consolation prize winners will each get RM300.
Closing date for submission is Feb 28, 2021 at 5pm. Further details can be obtained from www. sarawakdmep.org.my.