19 new cases of animal bite registered

KUCHING: The State Health Department registered 19 new cases of animal bite yesterday. Among the divisions, Kuching recorded eight cases, Serian seven, Sri Aman three and Samarahan, one.

Since Apr i l 1 thi s year, the state recorded a total of 2,728 cases of animal bite, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) said through a press statement yesterday. Cumulatively up to yesterday, it said 1,007 people had received anti- rabies vaccination.

However, JPBN explained that not all people bitten by dogs would get the anti-rabies vaccine, saying health specialists would assess each and every bite case clinical ly prior to making a decision on whether vaccine injection would be needed.

JPBN issues daily updates on rabies- related matters ever since an outbreak was declared in June in Serian. Since June, the dreaded disease has taken the lives of four young children and a 52-year old man.

Another child is said to be in the Sarawak General Hospital ( SGH), suspected of showing symptoms of rabies virus attack.

People are now advised to immediately wash the bite wound thoroughly and proceed to the nearest clinic as soon as possible thereafter.

JPBN said cumulatively since April, a total of 32,644 pet animals have been vaccinated - 25,002 dogs, 7,597 cats and 45 other animals.

The State Veterinary Services Department (JPVS) is also continuing pet animal vaccination programme. Yesterday, the programme was held at five villages in Serumbu area.

The JPVS so far has conducted 36,816 active surveillance activities and 962 passive surveillance activities in Serian, Kuching and Sri Aman in an effort to curb the spread of rabies.

A total of 210 samples from animals comprising 192 dogs, 17 cats and one bat obtained from Kuching, Sri Aman, Serian, Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Miri had been sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh Perak for test since the beginning of the outbreak.

So far, 36 dog samples and six cat samples from Kuching, Serian and Sri Aman tested positive for rabies, JPVS said.