Two more areas in Sarawak declared rabies-infected

KUCHING: The Sarawak government yesterday declared another two areas as rabiesinfected, bringing the number of such areas to 58.

The two new areas are Kampung Bogag, Krokong in Bau and Kampung Stenggang, Jalan Bau- Lundu, according to the State Disaster Management Committee ( JPBN) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said these areas are declared rabies-infected because they are outside the 10km radius of the areas already declared as such.

He said samples taken from dogs in the two areas had tested positive for rabies.

In view of that, people in these areas are advised not to let their dogs roam freely and can only bring them out of the infected areas with the permission of the State Veterinary Services Department.

If found guilty, those flouting this regulation under Section 37 (2) and (3) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 face a fine of up to RM5,000 or jail of up to three months or both, said Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.

Thus far, since Sarawak declared the outbreak in June last year ,15 people had succumbed to the virus in the state while one - an eight year old boy - undergoing treatment at home.

A total of 293 dogs and 20 cats tested positive for the virus and only Limbang Division is free from the virus.

A total of 98,620 dogs, 8508 cats and 56 other types of animals had been vaccinated whi le 13,184 dogs had been tagged, according to JPBN statistics.