DVS conducts free anti-rabies vaccination at hotspot Taman Malihah
KUCHING: The fight against rabies continues, as indicated by a free mass vaccination drive carried out at Taman Malihah multipurpose complex here yesterday.
The surrounding areas of the housing estate have been identified as a rabies hotspot – in this respect, 500 doses of the vaccine were prepared for the programme yesterday.
A total of 105 dogs were vaccinated during the exercise, which ran from 9am to 2pm, where 65 dogs received their first dose of the vaccine, while the rest had their second dose.
The Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) Sarawak has set a target to vaccinate 70 per cent of the dog population in Sarawak by the end of the year, as a means to control the spread of rabies.
According to DVS Sarawak director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, the dog population in Sarawak has reached 220,000 and out of this figure, about 50 per cent of them have been vaccinated.
As reported by The Borneo Post on Jan 6, a total of 108,842 pets across Sarawak have been given the anti- rabies vaccination – the animals comprise 100,245 dogs, 8,541 cats and 56 others.
As part of the ongoing antirabies campaign throughout Sarawak, a mass vaccination campaign had just concluded in Lundu where DVS personnel visited 44 villages and vaccinated more than 1,000 dogs.
Meanwhile, dog owners who missed out on any of the mass vaccination programmes could proceed to any DVS offices in Sarawak to have their pets vaccinated for free.
The next mass anti- rabies vaccination drive will take place at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) multipurpose complex this Jan 19, running from 9am to 2pm.
For more information, visit Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Facebook page or contact DVS headquarters in Kuching via 082- 628 248 / 082628 250.