Chang expresses deep concern over rabies outbreak
SIBU: Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang yesterday voiced her deep concern over the rabies outbreak in Sarawak and wondered how many more human lives would be lost before it could be brought under control and fully contained.
She said in a press statement yesterday during the the previous State Legislative Assembly sitting, she had expressed concern that the Sarawak government seemed to be losing the fight to control the rabies outbreak.
She also noted that out of the four states in Malaysia infected by rabies in recent years, only Sarawak has reported human casualties which currently stands at 15.
“Both in and out of the Dewan, I have expressed serious concern and questioned the adequacy and effectiveness of the preventive measures taken by the state government.”
Chang alleged even the mass vaccination campaigns for dogs were still far apart and lacking with Sibu confirmed in the Dewan last month by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah to have only reached 32.9 per cent - far behind the desired target of 70 per cent.
She said the Sarawak government should learn from Kedah, Perlis and Penang where these states also experienced the outbreak in July 2015.
“Through their focused and aggressive stance, the outbreak only lasted three months from July till November and it was totally contained,” she said and adding not a single human life was lost.
She said although Sarawak is much bigger than these three states, when the outbreak started it spread from district to district.
“The state government should have gone on the offensive, district by district. All strays should be quarantined and tested for the rabies virus.”
She said if found to be infected while in quarantine, the starys should be put to sleep immediately. But if they are found to be healthy, they should be vaccinated and released to animal shelters.
Chang also said that the state government should work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to set up animal shelters.