Samarahan, Serian declared latest rabies-infected areas

Samarahan and Serian have been declared as rabies-infected areas after new positive cases were detected in both divisions recently, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi.

The Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development said the declaration is necessary to ensure more effort is taken by the division concerned.

He also said previouslydeclared areas, including Kuching and Bintulu divisions, remain as rabies-infected areas.

“For this year, a total of 20 out of 133 samples were tested positive for rabies. Animal rabies was detected in Kuching (10 cases), Padawan (3), Samarahan (1), Bau (1), Tebedu (1), Bintulu (2) and Sebauh (2),” he said in a statement Wednesday.

Since 2017, the cumulative figure of dogs that have been vaccinated by Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak and Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) across Sarawak is 247,267, he added.

Dr Rundi said for 2023, the team had vaccinated 37,254 dogs out of the targeted 40,000, with this year’s target set at 50,000 canines.

“DVS Sarawak and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit will continue to intensify the antirabies vaccination programmes throughout Sarawak.

“Targeted removal of stray dogs will be carried out by the respective local councils throughout the state to reduce the stray population. In this regard, I would like to remind the public to take extra precautions and go to a nearby clinic if bitten by an animal,” he said.

Dr Rundi also stressed that dog owners must be responsible to ensure their pet is vaccinated for rabies.

This, he said, is mandatory under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

Under the Section, failure to comply may result in a compound of up to RM1,000.

Dog owners are also required to apply for a licence and microchip from their respective councils, and to neuter their pets to prevent unwanted litters.

Under Section 37 of the Ordinance, Dr Rundi said owners who let their dogs roam freely on the streets shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM2,500.

“Dog owners must keep their pet under effective control by confining it within an enclosed area from which it is impossible for the dog to escape.

“The local authority may seize and impound any dogs which are not on a leash in accordance with the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-laws, 2018,” he warned.