Miri to get additional 7,000 rabies vaccines — assistant minister

MIRI: This division is on its target to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of the dog population here against rabies, assures Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

According to him, Miri is set to receive an additional 7,000 antirabies vaccines, to replenish its current supply.

It is learnt that a total of 3,000 vaccines had been used since the launch of the vaccination programme about two weeks ago.

“We asked for more vaccines and they arrived two days ago. We had asked for an additional 5,000 and another 2,000 would come from Bintulu.

“That (7,000 vaccines) should be enough for now. If they’re insufficient, then we would ask for more,” he told reporters after launching ‘Miri FM Futsal Carnival’ at King Sports Centre here yesterday.

Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, also called upon all members of the public to work together with the relevant authorities to curb the spread of rabies by making sure that their pets – be they dogs or cat – are not left roaming outside their house compounds.

Moreover, he said apart from the ongoing mass vaccination programmes, the Miri City Council (MCC) is also working round-the-clock to catch stray dogs with help from non-government organisation (NGO) Zero Stray.

“Since last year, MCC has caught more than 1,000 stray dogs; about 100 have been caught since last week – thanks to the help from Zero Strays.

“Every day, the council despatches three teams to catch stray dogs around the city.”

Lee also disclosed that there is a special unit set up at Miri Hospital to attend to those who have been bitten by dogs.

“Should you get bitten, wash the wound immediately with tap water and soap for 15 minutes. After that, go directly to the hospital because there is a unit set up especially for such cases,” he advised.

Moreover, he said the mass vaccination exercises in Lutong, Bulatan Park and Taman Awam last weekend received encouraging response from the public – it is estimated that around 5,000 dogs had been vaccinated during the programmes at these three locations in less than one month.