Intensify enforcement of rabies control, says PAS Bintulu
BINTULU: Prevention and control measures must be carried out effectively and holistically to prevent the spread of rabies in Sarawak.
Parti Islam Se-Malaysia ( PAS) Bintulu chairman Zharudin Narudin said since it (rabies) involves the people’s well being, the enforcement activities must be intensified.
“Many people still feel unsecured when they go out of their homes for fear of the many free-roaming dogs and strays at residential areas and even near schools.
“We are thus urging the local authority to carry out prevention and control activities not only at the two rabies-infected area here, but in the whole division.
“Bear in mind that Sarawak has a population of about 300,000 dogs, which would increase the risk of the disease spreading,” he added.
The new Local Authorities ( Dog Licensing and Control) By-Law 2018, which will come into force from Dec 1 this year, is one of measures to control the spread of rabies in Sarawak.
The new by-law is applicable to all 26 local councils in Sarawak to enable the local authorities to have more effective control over dog population.
Zharudin also lauded Bintulu Development Authority ( BDA) for having set up a hotline number for this purpose, but hoped that it could increase its manpower to deal with the outbreak.
“Facilities such as temporary shelters for the captured dogs must be upgraded to facilitate the process so that the task can be carried out efficiently,” he said.
The party also urged the Veterinary Services Department here to intensify its mass vaccination programme, carry out more awareness campaign, and set up mobile clinics especially in densely populated areas, and the rural areas.
After a year of the rabies outbreak, Zharudin said there is still no sign it is contained.
Two areas here have been declared as the 45th and 46th rabies infected areas; Taman Bandar Jaya at Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, and SK Sg Selad KM35 BintuluKuala Tatau coastal road.
The BDA’s Public Utilities and Rural Cleanliness Unit in a statement said as of Oct 24, a total of 39 stray dogs had been removed from the streets in Bintulu, and the operation is on-going.