Animal tissue samples test negative for rabies since July 24

KUCHING: The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) Ipoh, Perak reveals that animal tissue samples taken in Sarawak since July 24 had tested negative for the rabies virus.

As of yesterday, a total of 175 samples were taken from a total of 157 dogs, 17 cats and one bat in Serian, Kuching and Sri Aman divisions since the start of the outbreak.

The rabies virus tests conducted via the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test at VRI Ipoh prior to July 24 yielded positive results in 33 dog samples and six cat samples.

In a press statement, Malaysia Veterinary Services Department director general Dato’ Dr Kamarudin Isa said he was optimistic that the rabies outbreak in Sarawak will be under control at 90 per cent by end of this month.

Dr Kamarudin who visited Sarawak Veterinary Department operations room here yesterday said a buffer zone of 300 to 400km would require a lot of manpower and long term commitment. Cooperation from Kalimantan, Indonesia is vital to the effectiveness of the buffer zone.

On another note, he commended everyone involved in the planning and execution of the rabies vaccine drive, surveillance and the controlling of stray dogs in the outbreak areas.

He noted that as of yesterday, a total of 30,191 animals (22,549 dogs, 7,597 cats and 45 other types of animals) have been injected with anti-rabies vaccine.

The press statement also revealed that as of yesterday, a total of 45 new dog bite cases were reported: Serian with six cases, Sri Aman (three), Kuching (34) and Kota Samarahan (two).

Out of 45 cases, domestic dogs account for 19, stray dogs (four), domestic cats (20), stray cat (one) and monkey (one).

Meanwhile, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department reminds the public to be alert to changes iin their pet’s behaviour. Among the symptoms to look out for are scared of water (hydrophobia) or light, avoiding human contact, excessive salivating, easily agitated and aggressiveness like biting moving objects.

Call the operations room of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Secretariat at 082443991, 446991 or 447960 to report any suspected case of rabies.