No let-up in vaccination of dogs to contain rabies outbreak
KUCHING: The authorities are continuing to carry out mass vaccination of dogs to contain the rabies outbreak here.
Yesterday, a vaccinat ion exercise was conducted at Siburan Community Hall for animals from residential areas in Siburan, Beratok and Tapah. A fruit farmer from Tapah brought 14 dogs to be vaccinated.
Because the dogs look dangerous and menacing, the owner had to get into the back of his pick- up truck and hold on to the dogs so that the veterinary officers could carry out their tasks.
As at 11.15am yesterday, 244 dogs were vaccinated at the community hall. The programme ended at 4pm.
Penghulu Voon Min Sen for Siburan, Beratok and Tapah areas, who witnessed the mass vaccination exercise, lauded the efforts made by the state government to control the spread of rabies.
“I am happy that the authority
I am happy that the authority has decided to carry out mass vaccination exercise in Siburan for domestic dogs in Siburan, Beratok, Tapah and the surrounding villages. Penghulu Voon Min Sen, Siburan, Beratok and Tapah community leader
has decided to carry out mass vaccination exercise in Siburan for domestic dogs in Siburan, Ber at ok , T ap a h a nd t he surrounding villages.
“This exercise will help to create awareness among dog owners and the public at large the importance of keeping their dogs within their compound,” he said.
Siburan has been designated as one of rabies- affected areas after a stray dog was found to be rabies positive.
Meanwhile, a statement from the secretariat of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, said 1,196 dogs were vaccinated yesterday, making the cumulative number of vaccinated pets so far to 26,228.
Of the number, 18,587 are dogs, 7,596 cats and 45 other animals.
Yesterday, the Dog Vaccination Programme to curb the spread of rabies, were also held at various other villages such as Tringgus Rabak Rotan, Tringgus Bong, Tringgus Matan, Stampin and Stutong.
So far, the state Veterinary Servic e s Depar tment has conducted 159 rabies awareness campaigns in villages and schools in the affected areas, which were attended by 31,363 people.
The secretariat said 27 new bite cases were reported yesterday (Aug 4); 13 are in Serian, two in Sri Aman and 12 in Kuching, bringing the cumulative number of dog bite cases to 1,442 since April 1.