Dept intensifies mass vaccination programme to check rabies outbreak
SIBU: The Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) Sarawak is intensifying its mass vaccination programme to remind members of the public especially pet owners on the importance of having their pets vaccinated to curb the spread of rabies.
Its director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said: “DVS, Ministry of Local Government and Housing and Ministry of Health ( MOH) will work together to intensify awareness programme.”
He said this when asked to comment on the latest confirmed human rabies case involving a 21-year- old man staying at Mile 7, Kuching.
Health director- general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah who confirmed the latest case, had said the patient was bitten by a stray dog on Oct 4 but he did not clean the wound nor seek treatment at any health facility immediately.
It was learned that he only bought medicine from a pharmacy for the wound.
On Nov 21, the youth complained of back pain and claimed that he fell down a day earlier.
The victim only sought treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) on Nov 24 and that was when he reported that he was bitten by a dog, Dr Noor said.
Meanwhile, Dr Adrian said a total of 106,722 animals have been vaccinated in Sarawak since July last year. He said the number excluded over 10,000 animals vaccinated by private veterinarians.
“Free vaccination during office hours at DVS divisional offices across Sarawak is ongoing,” he said, adding that as of now, only Limbang is still free from rabies detected in dogs.
Meanwhile, Sibu Rural District Council ( SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai reiterated that dog owners should confine their dogs within their house compound.
“To me people need to understand that they must be responsible and ensure their pets are kept within their house compound or cages. This is not only to prevent their pets from getting infected with rabies but also avoid them from biting people,” he said when asked on some pet dogs sighted roaming freely in Sibu Jaya.
Sempurai added: “Although the situation is very much under control but we still can see pet dogs roaming around the lanes and neighbourhood area. As for stray dogs, their number are not that apparent but the council is still monitoring closely their number.”
DVS also reminded about the 10 points that the public need to remember to prevent rabies from spreading:
Pet owners should get their dogs vaccinated annually.
Do not adopt dogs from unknown sources.
Pet owners are advised to WhatsApp rabies hotline – 016 205 1111 if their dogs show signs of being infected by rabies.
Do not move pets from infected zones without permit from the state veterinary authority. Do not dump unwanted pets. Contact the nearest Veterinary Divisional Office or the local council to surrender your dogs.
Have your dogs licensed with the local council.
Neuter pets for population control.
Keep dogs within house compounds.
Leash dogs securely when taking them out for walks.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals. If bitten, wash wound with soap and under running water for 15 minutes, then seek immediate medical attention at government hospitals.