Uggah sad people still unaware about danger of dog bites
KUCHING: Deputy Chief Mini ster and chai rman of Sarawak disaster management and relief committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas expressed sadness that the people are still not aware of the danger of dog bites in the wake of rabies outbreak.
“It is indeed very sad there are still people who are not aware of the danger of being bitten by a dog, and did not go to see the doctor for treatment,” he said.
Uggah was commenting on the 49-year- old man from Sri Aman who did not seek treatment after being bitten by his pet dog in January this year.
The farmer was confirmed by Health Ministry on Friday as the 12th rabies case in Sarawak.
The man was admitted to Serian Hospital for fever and breathing problems on Aug 11, where he began to show symptoms of hydrophobia ( extreme fear of water) and weakness.
The man was referred to the Sarawak General Hospital here on Aug 14 and is currently in critical condition in the infectious disease ward.
According to MoH statement, the patient ’ s pet dog, mixed freely with stray dogs, died a week after biting him. However, the dog’s cause of death could not be determined.
Uggah noted that MoH revealed
It is indeed very sad there are still people who are not aware of the danger of being bitten by a dog, and did not go to see the doctor for treatment. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister
the dog had previously bitten another resident from the same village in January.
“So, today we continue to advise the public – number one, once bitten you must clean the wound as much as possible, apply Dettol. After that, you must see a doctor, the doctor will make assessment whether to give you vaccine or not,” he said.
Uggah s t ressed t hat t he authorities have been doing a lot of campaigns to advise the public what to do in the event of being bitten by cat or dog.
“First of all they must clean themselves, and then go to hospital.
“Those information has been disseminated through all media, and today the MoH also advises the public on how to react if any of their fami ly members are bitten by a dog, especially what action to be taken immediately,” he said.
On the much publ ici s e d help from federal Ministry of Agriculture, Uggah said he has not been notified.
“Actually we have discussed with the minister ( Salahuddin Ayub) when he came to make courtesy call on Chief Minister ( of Sarawak the other day). We have conveyed to him the issue we are facing, and informed him the request that we have made to former minister ( Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek). We will follow up to make sure (the help are extended),” he said.
Uggah, however, was relieved by the assurance made by Ministry of Health to work closely with Sarawak government to tackle rabies.