Rep fears rural villagers unaware of spread of rabies in their areas
MIRI: Most rural folk here are still ignorant of the deadly rabies disease, which has recently spread to Miri Division.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau revealed the rural population in Miri division who do not have access to social media and newspaper may not be aware that the outbreak of the deadly disease has reached their doorsteps.
“Concerted efforts must be seriously undertaken immediately by all means including through Radio Televisyen Malaysia ( RTM) services in particularly the Kayan and Kenyah sections to continuously update our listeners and relay information that our general public need to know about the disease to forewarn the public especially in the rural areas,” said Dennis.
Dennis urged schools and health authorities to direct rural schools and clinics in Ulu Baram to work on programmes and hold special gatherings to share information on rabies to their school children and as well as to village folk.
“My office is in communication with Baram District Council and other government agencies to hold activities in relation to the rabies prevention programme to be held at Long Lama soon,” he disclosed.
According to Dennis, travelling on the logging roads that connect the hundreds of longhouses, farms and many logging camps and log ponds all over Telang Usan, one will never fail to come across dogs along the way..
“I am worried that these dogs could carry the deadly disease to the very rural places in Ulu Baram.
“Therefore all dog owners who leave their pets in their farm huts must take care of them to avoid being infected by the disease. They should also take their dogs for the free anti-rabies vaccination,” he said.
“We must heed the warnings by the relevant authorities and take all the precautionary measures. We cannot afford to adopt the ‘ tidak apa’ (do not care) attitude because the situation is very serious,” he warned.
Dennis suggested that the State Disaster Committee provide trainings in basic health aid to some 140 village health volunteers in Ulu Baram so that they may be able to help the authorities in curbing the spread of rabies into the Baram heartland.
“These volunteers could help disseminate information on rabies and provide early treatment in their rural settlements.
“There must be a total involvement from the general public at large in our efforts to try to stop and if possible to eradicate this dangerous and deadly disease.
“The Sarawak government and its relevant agencies will only be effective if the people give their fullest support because without this teamwork, they will not be able to cover every corner of the state, particularly in the very rural places,” he said.
Dennis also reminded the rural people not to make unnecessary demand if the authorities take away their pet dogs suspected to be affected by the disease.