KUCHING: The Sungai Maong wet market here and Kampung Serikin in Bau have now been declared as rabies-infected areas, making the total number of affected areas in the state to 22.
The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat said this was declared by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the committee chairman, during its coordination meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
The other 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, Kampung Engkabang, Kampung Tampek Sumpas, Kampung Rasau, Siburan town, Serian town and Batu 45 Kuching-Sri Aman – all in Serian Division; Kampung Temong Mura and Kampung Entubuh (Tebedu); Rumah Janta Punggu Mawang in Sri Aman; and Mile 5 Jalan Semeba (Kuching).
JPBN also noted that a Sarawak-Kalimantan Rabies Outbreak Control and Prevention Special Committee Meeting was held at Tebedu District Office in Serian yesterday. It was chaired by Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion, who is also SDMC deputy chairman, and Indonesian Consul in Kuching (Consulate Functions) 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 (Malaysia-Indonesia Social, Economic and Security Coopreation) 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 of 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.
Meanwhile, the state Health Department said a total of 402 new dog bite cases occurring between July 2 and yesterday had been detected – of which 31 cases in Serian Division, three in Sri Aman Division, and 16 in Kuching Division were reported yesterday.
“This brings the cumulative number of dog bite cases from April 1 to 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 said it has established four Dog Bite Clinics – each at SGH, Serian Hospital, Sentosa Health Clinic and Sri Aman Health Clinic – to provide dog bite cases management services to nearby patients.
“For cases that occur outside of these four clinics, they are advised to head to their nearest health clinic or hospital to receive treatment.”
The department also advised members of the public with any history of dog bites between April 1 and now to get themselves checked at the nearest health facility.
On a related matter, JPBN also disclosed that the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Ipoh, Perak had confirmed in its report that four out of five samples received tested positive for rabies virus.
“At present, 39 samples – 33 from dogs and six from cats – have been confirmed positive for rabies virus, out of the 71 samples tested.”
As at yesterday, a total of 3,604 dogs were vaccinated under the Rabies Disease Vaccination Programme at Batu 7 basketball court in Kota Sentosa; thus making the total number of vaccinated pets at present to 17,844, of which 10,204 are dogs, 7,595 cats and 45, other animals.
The state Veterinary Services Department (JPVS) had also carried out 114 awareness campaigns on rabies outbreak at villages and schools across the affected areas, which were attended by 24,516 people.
It said it would continue its vaccination programme, surveillance, awareness programmes and complaint case investigations on rabies at the affected areas as part of its measures to curb the outbreak.
The department also called for cooperation from pet owners to keep their pets in cages and also to observe their behaviour.
“Should the animal is found to have changed from being tame to aggressive, to show sudden fear of water (hydrophobia) and of light, be salivating excessively, please report to the JPVS Operations Room by calling 082-621949 / 082-611607 or send fax to 082-613460.”