Keep Sibu rabies free – vaccinate dogs at no charge
SIBU: A mass anti-rabies vaccination exercise targets to vaccinate 70 per cent or 24,500 of the estimated 35,000 dogs in this division.
Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee said the vaccination programme is part of a two-prong strategy to keep Sibu rabies free, besides removal of strays.
He said the figure was derived from the rough estimate of two dogs per household from the 80 per cent of the non-Muslim population in the division.
“We estimate the dog population in Sibu Division to be about 35,000. Our target is to vaccinate 70 per cent of them,” Dr Annuar told reporters during the mass anti-rabies vaccination programme at theSibu Jaya community hall yesterday.
The free vaccination by Veterinary Services Department was held from 9am till 4pm yesterday, while today it is from 9am till 2pm at the same venue.
Dr Annuar however said response from the public in bringing their pet dogs for the free vaccination was not so encouraging yesterday.
“I must remind the public on the importance of vaccination. Your dog will not be protected against rabies without vaccination. “He added that there are 22 centres giving free vaccination. Members of the public can call 013-8077964 or 084-310808 to find out the exact locations and the dates for the free vaccination of dogs.
The vaccinated dogs will be tagged using a plastic chain and issued with a certificate by the Veterinary Services Department.
The exercise which started yesterday will run until March 1 at different locations.
Touching on the 33 longhouses in Nangka constituency, Dr Annuar said a mobile team would be formed to reach out to residents to get their dogs vaccinated.
The total number of dogs vaccinated by 4pm yesterday was 197.
The Ministry of Local Government and Housing’s head of Public Health Dr Cheong Yaw Liang, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, deputy chairman Robert Lau, secretary Justani Joni and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) acting secretary Jong Thian Puk were present at the event.