Rabies: No new cases detected, confirms State Disaster Management Committee

0

A member of the DVS team vaccinates a dog.

KUCHING: There are no other rabies cases confirmed so far, according to the State Disaster Management Committee.

“For now, there are four confirmed cases of rabies in Serian – three of the young victims died, while the fourth victim is in critical condition at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH),” said a statement issued by the secretariat at 5pm yesterday.

It pointed out that the Active Case Detection (ACD) had found 290 dog-bite cases within 10km radius from the affected area in Serian and from these cases, 66 were new bites – reported between July 2 and 15, including 14 detected yesterday.

The committee said all 290 cases had undergone vaccination.

“The health team is intensifying the effort to trace cases – those yet to go to Serian Hospital for vaccination.

“In view that there are cases of new dog-bites, the people must not release their dogs. Those who believe that they have been bitten by dogs or wild animals from the affected areas must go to Serian Hospital immediately for further medical examinations,” it pointed out, advising the public to do their best in avoiding from getting bitten by any dog or wild animal.

So far, the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has conducted vaccination on 3,785 animals, including 952 dogs and 2,810 cats.

The department has also run 68 rabies awareness campaigns at the affected areas including the Serian community hall, Kampung Tangga and Kampung Bedup – attended by 4,862 villagers. Yesterday, the vaccination team went to eight villages – Remun, Mentung, Diang Ipuh, Ranchan, Engkabang, Koran, Tangga and Sumpas.

Today, the exercise is being carried out by the teams from DVS Sarawak, Serian District Council, Samarahan District Council, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Royal Malaysia Police and Veterinary Association.

The DVS Sarawak will also send its vaccination teams to various villages across Serian to reduce the movement of animals.

The State Disaster Management Committee appeals to the people, particularly those living in the rabies outbreak areas, to contact the operations room at 082-621949 / 611607 to report on any pet animals, especially dogs and cats, behaving strangely such as exhibiting sudden aggression, biting moving objects or foaming at the mouth.