State records more rabies-positive dog brain samples

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Rabies infographics

KUCHING: Sarawak recorded more rabies-positive canine brain samples yesterday.

Six of the 16 brain samples recently collected were found to be rabies positive yesterday, following lab tests at the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Ipoh.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat in a statement said four of the positive samples were from dogs in Kuching – a pet dog in Taman Moyan 2 Jalan Batu Kawa, pet dog in Taman Hillside Jalan Sungai Tengah Matang, pet dog in Lorong 2 Sungai Tengah Matang and a stray dog at Jalan Kim Choo Sin.

Two other positive samples were from pet dogs in Kampung Krangan Baru and Kampung Krangan Jaya Balai Ringin in Serian. All the positive samples were from areas gazetted as rabies-infected.

The state Veterinary Services Department in the same statement advised pet owners in areas gazetted as rabies-infested to neuter their pet dogs and pet cats to control their population, and to minimise the risk of being infected by rabies.

Pet owners are also reminded to prevent their pet animals, either already vaccinated or not, from mixing around
with stray animals. They are also asked to report any behavioural changes in their pets to the state Veterinary Services Department at 082-612949 or 082-611607.

A total of 30 areas have been gazetted as rabies-infested – 21 in Serian, four in Kuching, three in Samarahan, and one each in Sri Aman and Sarikei.

Meanwhile, 44 new animal bite cases were reported yesterday. Twenty-four were in Kuching, 11 in Serian, six in Sarikei, two in Samarahan and one in Sri Aman.

All of the persons who reported the cases have received anti-rabies vaccination. Since July last year, seven positive human rabies cases were reported and six of them have died.