Rabies situation improves

IPOH: The sub-district of Matang, which was previously declared a rabies-infected area, has now been moved one notch down to a rabies control area.

State Health, Public Transport, NonIslamic Affairs, National Integration and New Villages Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said with this declaration, the public will be allowed to bring dogs in and out of the area.

“Roadblocks manned by the authorities will also be removed.

“However, owners and residents must take all precautions, including the vaccination and licensing of their animals,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Mah said the state government made the declaration after samples taken from 43 dogs in the area tested negative for rabies.

He said the next step will be the declaration of the rabies white area index before the gazette is lifted, which would take about two years.

Mah said surveillance activities were carried out on 2,442 houses within a 1km to 10km radius from the rabies affected area.

A total of 605 dogs with owners and 122 stray dogs were recorded, while 1,783 cats belonging to owners and 24 stray cats were also found.

Mah also said tourists need not fear visiting Kuala Sepetang as it is safe.

Kuala Sepetang is a popular fishing village for visitors.

“Now the tourist industry is coming back to normal after the incident,” he added.

The sub-district of Matang was gazetted as a rabies-infected area on July 17 after a dog tested positive for rabies.