Uggah (seated second left) and Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (seated third left) with staff of Sarawak Veterinary Services Department at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department has declared that tissue samples taken from dogs in specific areas in Kuching and Bau have produced negative results for the rabies virus.
The samples were taken at Bandar Baru Semariang, Kampung Atas Singai (Bau), Kampung Mundai (Padawan), Kampung Rantau Panjang (Batu Kawa), Uni Garden (Kuching outer ring road), Kampung Peninjau Baru, Semariang Aman, Matang Family Park, Xafa Villa (Jalan Fock Fun) and Kampung Segedup (Batu Kawa).
A press statement from the State Information Department said the results were presented to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
The statement also explained that under the Public Health Veterinary Ordinance 1999, the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department was also given the authority to purchase rabies vaccines which are recognised by the World Health Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) from outside the state to be used by private veterinary practices.
Yesterday, a vaccination drive was held in Kampung Semeba (Kuching) and Kampung Rayang (Serian) where a total of 129 dogs were given the rabies vaccine.
As of yesterday, the total number of animals already vaccinated stands at 22,584 (14,944 dogs, 7,595 cats and 45 other animals).
The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department has also conducted 131 awareness campaigns on rabies in villages and schools, in which 26,647 individuals took part.
The department also revealed that 61 new dog bite cases were reported yesterday, with 19 cases in Serian, Kuching (21) and Sri Aman (21).
The cumulative number of dog bite cases as of April 1 to July 30 is 1,221. A total of 691 individuals were also given the anti-rabies vaccine.
The state government has to-date declared 22 areas in Sarawak to be rabies-infected since the outbreak in Serian.
A total of five individuals aged four to 52 years from Serian Division have succumbed to the disease.
Today, an awareness talk will be held near Win Win Cafe, Pending (opposite City Square SSM Office).