Rabies spreads to Sibu, Kapit, Miri
State Disaster Management Committee to review strategy against rabies following spread of disease
Besides the existing committee, we are also inviting new bodies and NGO such as SSPCA and Malaysian Medical council to attend the meeting.
KUCHING: Rabies has spread to Sibu, Miri and Kapit divisions, making the total number of rabies localities to 41 thus far.
This was affi rmed by the State Disaster Management Committee yesterday when it declared five new areas - Jalan Teng Chin Hua in Sibu; Jalan Kilang ( Bintangor) Meradong (Sarikei); Jalan Airport Lama ( Kapit); Piasau Jaya ( Miri) and Lutong Shell (Miri) - as rabiesinfected.
Responding to this latest spread of rabies in Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas the committee chairman said in a press statement yesterday he is calling a full committee meeting next Tuesday to reassess the polices adopted in fighting the disease.
The meeting will also review the steps taken so far and explore new measures to curb the spread of the disease.
“Besides the existing committee, we a re a l so i nvit ing new bodie s and NGO such a s SSPCA and Malaysian Medical council to attend the meeting,” he said.
The State Disaster Management Commit tee also released a statement yesterday advising members of the public to avoid adopting or purchasing dogs of unknown vaccination status and sources.
The public are also advised to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies, and to call the nearest Veterinary Office if their pets show signs of rabies such as turning aggressive, biting of objects, excessive salivation and in- coordination.
Those who have not had their dogs vaccinated must bring them to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Office for anti-rabies vaccination from 8am to 10am from Monday to Friday ( except public holiday) or to the nearest private veterinary clinics.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, State Disaster Management Committee Chairman
Annual booster is required to ensure that the pet is fully protected.
The public can also access the Sarawak Disaster Information Facebook page, Instagram and YouTube for more updated information regarding upcoming anti-rabies mass vaccination and the current situation of rabies in Sarawak.
The public are also encouraged to communicate to the government through the above portals.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Veterinary Association ( SVA) president Dr Chuo Hock Tieng, when contacted, called for the relevant authorities to conduct roadblocks to deter infected animals from being transferred out of rabies infected areas.
According to him, Section 37(2) and (3) of the Public Health Ordinance 1999 stated that it is an offence to let dogs room freely (in rabies infested areas), and to take stray dogs from rabies infested areas.
“No dogs are to be moved out from rabies infected areas without get t ing a writ ten permission from the State Veterinary Authority,” Chuo warned yesterday.
A fine of not more than RM5,000, or jail term of not more than three months, or both, will be meted out on any offender.
Thus far, rabies on human has killed 12 people in Sarawak from the time it was first detected in June last year.
To mark World Rabies Awareness Day, The Borneo Post has teamed up with Sarawak Health Department and members of the local Dog Bite Clinic in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) to help deliver a message to the public with the hope of raising awareness of the deadly virus — how to protect ourselves against it and the appropriate steps to take in the event of a dog bite.
What can we do to curb the utbreak of rabies? With so much said and done, the lity remains that the rabies break is still raging and we d to start taking drastic steps help curb the outbreak and vent it from spreading further he state. ccording to Dr Ooi, the path to abies- free Sarawak is a multinged approach where everyone a part to play in changing our ndsets and methods in dealing h dogs. As citizens of the state, we need to nge our mindsets as responsible owners. If we continue to let dogs roam freely, then there l always be a chance the dogs ht get infected and harbour the ies virus. Owners should make e their dogs are kept inside ir gates and leashed when taken for walks and exercise. Owners should also be ouraged to start neutering ir pets if they do not want to ed them as we often see some esponsible owners abandoning ir unwanted pets on the streets her than surrendering them, ce adding to the growing mber of strays. We need to start educating ryone,especially our children, the consequences of such lous action so that the young grow up to be responsible and d pet owners.” o the relevant authorities, Chua advocates stricter delines and enforcement for ownership. Right now, we do not enforce y strict licensing of dogs, so s hard to even tell if a dog has n vaccinated or neutered. With cter licensing, we can help ure dogs with owners are tected.With stricter enforcement, can help encourage responsible ownership throughout the e. For the sake of our children, ry Sarawakian should put aside ir differences and work together ards the common goal of making awak a rabies-free state again,” Chua stresses.