A dog owner has his pet vaccinated against rabies during a mass vaccination programme at Mile 7, Kuching recently. Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Sungai Maong Wet Market here and Kampung Serikin in Bau have now been declared as rabies-infected areas, bringing the total number of rabies-infected areas in the state to 22.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) secretariat said this was declared by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also SDMC chairman, during the committee’s coordination meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
As of July 25, the rabies-infected areas are Kampung Krait, Kampung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paon Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun, Kampung Lebor, Kampung Saroban, Kampung Tangga, Kampung Ampungan, Kampung Mentong Berawan, Kampung Mentong Silaga, Kampjung Engkabang, Kampung Tampek Sumpas, Kampung Rasau, Siburan Town, Serian, and Batu 45 Kuching-Sri Aman in Serian division; Kampung Temong Mura and Kampung Entubuh in Tebedu; Rumah Janta Punggu Mawang in Sri Aman; Sungai Maong Wet Market in Kuching; and Kampung Serikin in Bau.
SDMC also noted that a Sarawak-Kalimantan Rabies Outbreak Control and Prevention Special Committee Meeting was also held at Tebedu District Office in Serian yesterday which was chaired by Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion, who is also SDMC deputy chairman, and Indonesian Consulate-General in Kuching Consulate Functions consul Muhammad Abdullah.
“The meeting decided and proposed several effective measures to overcome the rabies outbreak particularly at the border areas.
“Among them are to establish cooperation under the auspices of Sosek Malindo so that meetings can be held from time to time when required; agree to a joint vaccination under the Immune Belt at border areas; enhance awareness on rabies at the border by distributing dual-language pamphlets (Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia); establish effective communication via one source namely the Veterinary Services Department from Sarawak and West Kalimantan; conduct joint operation by establishing a standard operating procedure (SOP) between Sarawak and West Kalimantan for rabies operation collaboration at the border so that not much problems will occur and not to give permission in the import and export of animals,” it said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, the State Health Department said a total of 402 new dog bite cases which occurred between July 2 to July 25 were detected, with 31 cases in Serian division, three in Sri Aman division, and 16 in Kuching division were reported today.
“This brings the cumulative number of dog bite cases since April 1 until today (yesterday) to 879 cases,” it reported, adding that based on data collected at the Dog Bite Clinic in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and Serian Hospital, a total of 568 people had received vaccination.
The department also informed that it has established four Dog Bite Clinics at SGH, Serian Hospital, Sentosa Health Clinic and Sri Aman Health Clinic to provide dog bite cases management services to nearby patients.
“For cases which occur outside of these four clinics, they are advised to head to their nearest health clinic or hospital to receive treatment.”
It also advised the members of the public with any history of dog bites between April 1 till now to get themselves checked at the nearest health facility.
On a related matter, SDMC also disclosed that the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Ipoh, Perak has confirmed in its report that four out of five samples received have tested positive for the rabies virus.
“At present, 39 samples comprising 33 dog samples and six cat samples have been confirmed positive for the rabies virus out of the 71 samples tested.”
Up till yesterday, a total of 3,604 dogs have been vaccinated under the Rabies Disease Vaccination Programme at Batu 7 Basketball Court in Kota Sentosa thus bringing the total number of vaccinated pets at present to 17,844, of which 10,204 were dogs, 7,595 were cats and 45 were other animals.
The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (JPVS) have also carried out 114 awareness campaigns on the rabies outbreak at villages and schools in affected areas which were attended by 24,516 participants.
It will continue its vaccination programme, surveillance, awareness programmes and complaint case investigations on rabies at the affected areas as part of its measure to curb the outbreak.
The department also called for cooperation from pet owners to keep their pets in cages and to observe their behaviour.
If the animal is found to have changed from tame to aggressive, to have hydrophobia and fear of light, salivating excessively, and acting aggressive, please contact the JPVS Operation Room by calling 082-621949 or 082-611607 or fax to 082-613460.