Julau District Office runs awareness programme on prevention of rabies outbreak
JULAU: The Julau District Office is collaborating with several relevant agencies in running an awareness prog ramme on prevent ing the rabie s outbreak from spreading here. According to Julau District Of f i c e r K h a l i d A ndon g , preventive measures have been taken immediately, following the detection of the virus in samples taken from several dogs near this town early this month. “We must prevent the disease from infecting humans, as it (rabies) is incurable,” he stressed in his remarks at the closing of the awareness programme in Rumah Jef ferey Menggan, Nanga Entabai near here on Thursday.
Sar ikei Divi sion Heal th Department of ficer Dr Laila Morgan and Sarikei Veterinary Services Department ( DVS) of f icer Mathew Joan were present to present talks on rabies and how steer clear of this deadly disease.
According to Dr Laila, a total of 28 victims of dog bites were recorded in this division this year, comprising 10 cases in Sarikei, nine in Meradong, six in Julau and three in Pakan 3.
None of them, however, showed rabies infection.
Sti l l , tests carried out by relevant authorities on samples of dogs from the area showed that three were positive for rabies virus.
In this rega rd, Dr Lai la stressed that immediate action must be taken to contain the spread before it gets too late.
She a l so shared c rucial information with the participants such as identifying symptoms of a rabies- infected dog.
“We must distant ourselves from and not provoke or disturb dogs that may have been infected by rabies.
“As a preventive measure, those who were bitted by dogs should wash their wounds with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes; after that, they must seek follow-up treatment at the nearest clinic immediate.
“Never wait for the symptoms to show up before seeking treatment as by then, it would be too late,” she stressed.
She also pointed out six cases of rabies reported in the state last year in which four children, aged four to seven, and a middleaged man had died, while another victim is still in coma.
Meanwhi le Mathew, in his presentation, said that the DVS’ role is to help contain the spread of the virus among animals, particularly dogs, through vaccination.
For this district, DVS personnel had vaccinated dogs within 10km radius from the area where the samples were taken and tested positive to rabies, he said.
To date, 34,687 dogs in the state had undergone vaccination against rabies and as the virus was also detected in cats as well, the DVS also conducted vaccination on 8,000 cats.
According to Mathew, a red PVC chain would be fastened on every animal that has undergone vaccination.
Special Affairs Department ( Jasa) Julau parliamentary liaison officer Sylvester Embuas and Julau District police chief DSP Bidol Noyeng were also present at the event.