Sibu enters mopping exercise phase to keep rabies at bay

SIBU: The war against rabies in Sibu Division has now entered a new phase, with the rabies control team here conducting mopping exercise to keep out the deadly disease.

Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee, who heads the team, stressed that the move is crucial to ensure the division remains a buffer zone against rabies.

“The war against rabies in Sibu division has entered the mopping stage, where we concentrate on areas with high number of dog bites and strays caught, as well as big number of pet owners sending their dogs for vaccination.

“We want Sibu Division to remain the immunity belt to curb the spread of this deadly rabies into the division and upwards into Bintulu and Miri,” he told reporters when met at the showing of Dragon Ball Super Marathon at Taman Selera Harmoni here on Saturday night.

Also present were state PBB Youth Exco member Abdul Ghani Sulhi and Taman Selera Harmoni Sibu Muslim Traders Association chairman Abdul Taib Rosli.

Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, mentioned of possible collaboration with private veterinarians for a one- day free vaccination programme, saying “we are still in discussion on how to go about rolling out the programme”.

Adding on, the Nangka assemblyman disclosed that thus far, tests on samples from all free-roaming dogs caught here were negative for rabies virus.

“But we must not be complacent and let our guard down.

“We are now moving into the outskirts of the town including Dudong area in the fight against rabies,” he said.

According to Dr Annuar, the war against the disease started on Jan 20 this year.

He highlighted that to create a rabies immunity belt for Sibu Division, it is necessary to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of dogs in the division to immunise them against the disease.

He also said the anti-rabies vaccination is administered on dogs only once a year.

He again reminded pet owners to keep their dogs within their house compounds at all times, especially within one month after being vaccinated because the vaccine only takes effect one month after the injection.

The war against rabies in Sibu division has entered the mopping stage, where we concentrate on areas with high number of dog bites and strays caught, as well as big number of pet owners sending their dogs for vaccination. Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health

Photo taken last month shows pet owners forming a beeline to register for free mass anti-rabies vaccination programme at the car park near Farley Supermarket in Sibu.

Hee (seated, second right), flanked by Lorna on her right and Lim, poses for a group photo with Dr Ong Eng-Joe (third row, right), Dr Ong Gek Bee (seated left) and Dr Teh Siao Hean (third row, centre) who will be assisting SCCS as medical advisors, and...