KUCHING: The State Veterinary Services Department must strictly enforce the quarantine process for animals such as dogs and cats entering the country as a preventive measure to contain the spread of rabies.
Saying this, PKR Women national vice president Voon Shiak Ni, also urged the state Disaster Management Committee to order a statewide preventive operation to contain the spread of rabies in the state, as it was not known for sure how far the virus, which had so far killed four victims, had spread.
“We cannot wait until the victims show symptoms three months later before we act because it will be too late then. Besides that, we also don’t know how far the dogs have travelled and spread the virus,” she told a press conference here yesterday.
According to her, the anxiety among the public, especially in Sarawak, had surged after rabies claimed another life on Monday.
“As of Tuesday, three areas – Siburan, Temong Muara in Tebedu and Rumah Janta Punggu Mawang in Sri Aman – were declared new rabies infected areas. It shows the disease has spread to Sri Aman and Siburan.
“The public are anxious to know how far the virus has spread in Sarawak. A statewide preventive operation is advisable to beef efforts to control the spread of the disease in Sarawak to allay public fears and anxiety and also to stay safe.”
Voon credited the good efforts of all state Health Department staff and other relevant authorities working hard on the ground to contain the spread of rabies in the affected villages.
She called for cooperation and precaution to be taken by everyone in all parts of Sarawak as an effort to control the spread of rabies.
“On the positive side, rabies is 100 per cent preventable. Therefore, report to the authorities stray dogs and also keep your dogs and cats in your house compound.”
Voon also said the public must be cautious of the non-bite infection.
Rabies virus can also spread if the saliva of an infected animal comes into contact with the eyes, mouth or nose or open cuts in the skin.
“Prevention is always better than cure and therefore it is also important for the public to know that the spread of the disease can be from bite or non-bite. It is also important to know that all mammals get rabies and therefore it is important to watch out for cats and rabbits and other pets at home.”
She also advised pet owners to vaccinate their pets as part of initiative to help contain the spread of rabies.
Besides urging the public to contact Veterinary Services Department at 082-621949 and 082-611607 if they come across animals showing signs of being infected by rabies, Voon called on the state Disaster Management Committee to provide a hotline to enable the public to provide information and feedback on the ground.