Dog in Serian tests positive for rabies, 14 other samples test negative

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Rabies infographics

KUCHING: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) yesterday declared that tissue samples taken from dogs across the state to test for the rabies virus had produced 14 negative results and one positive result.

The negative samples came from Miri (2); Sarikei (3); SK Penom, Betong (1); Debak, Betong (1); Sri Aman (1); Lundu (1); Kampung Sudat, Kuching (1); Jalan Durian Burung, Kuching (1); and Kampung Sebemban, Serian (1).

The positive sample is from Kampung Muara Tangga in Serian which was declared a rabies-infected area on July 13.

The 15 sample results from the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) arrived yesterday from the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) Ipoh.

The DVS is also running investigations on reports of rabies cases. It has conducted a total of 34,698 active surveillance and 793 passive surveillance in Serian, Kuching and Sri Aman.

The department has also provided VRI Ipoh with a total of 181 samples from 163 dogs, 17 cats and one bat from Kuching, Sri Aman, Serian, Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Miri.

Out of the 172 results received, the number of samples that tested positive for rabies is 34 from dogs, and six from cats.

Local authorities, together with DVS, have picked up 988 stray dogs from Kuching, Samarahan and Serian as a step to control the spread of rabies.

Yesterday, 414 more dogs were vaccinated in Serian and Lubuk Antu as of 3pm.

To date, the number of pets vaccinated is 31,041.

Out of that figure, 23,399 are dogs, 7,597 cats and 45 other animals.

The Health Department also received 95 bite cases yesterday, with 16 cases from Serian, three from Sri Aman, 75 cases from Kuching and one from Samarahan.

Out of that total, 76 bites were from pets – 55 dogs and 21 cats – while stray or un-owned animals accounted for 19 bites: 10 from dogs, eight from cats and one from a rat.

Yesterday’s bite figures bring the cumulative number of dog bites reported since April 1 to 2,393 cases. A total of 942 persons had been given anti-rabies vaccinations.