Tiang (fourth from right) holding a symbolic giant needle at the launch of World Rabies Day 2023 in Sibu.
Efforts include equipping more clinics with vaccine
SARAWAK is confident of winning the battle against rabies as it was once a rabies-free state, says its Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Michael Tiang.
Tiang said that prior to 2017, rabies was not a problem in Sarawak.
“I believe we can still win the war (against rabies). We need to work together,” he said after attending World Rabies Day in Sibu.
He said the total number of rabies cases in Sarawak affecting humans was 72 so far, with 65 deaths.
According to him, most of these cases could have been prevented if the patients had received the rabies vaccine in time after being bitten.
“There were 88,606 cases of animal bites from July 1, 2017, to Aug 31 this year.
“Out of that number, 49,457 cases were dog bites and 39,149 cases were cat bites, or around 14,000 bites per year.
“The large number of animal bites is worrying, with the potential of rabies in every bite case.
“I am sure those gathered here at this conference will work towards finding a solution to this problem,” said the Pelawan assemblyman.
Tiang praised the Sarawak Health Department for increasing the number of health facilities equipped with rabies vaccines, from 30 to 91.
Also present at the World Rabies Day event were Sarawak Health Department director Dr Ooi Choo Huck, Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun and other senior state health and veterinary officials.
Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), in an effort to stop the spread of rabies, is launching a campaign to receive sick and stray dogs and cats in November.
The council will then deal with these animals according to the Sibu Veterinary Services Department’s recommendations.
SMC public health standing committee chairman Richard Ting said pet owners could hand over sick animals or strays to its depot in Jalan Teng Chin Hua.
“They should take full responsibility for their own safety by wearing personal protective equipment when bringing in sick dogs or cats to the depot,” said Ting who is a local councillor.
Pet owners are required to fill up a declaration form with personal details including name and address.
They must also indicate where the animal was caught or located.
“SMC will pay an incentive of RM10 per puppy/kitten and RM50 per adult dog/cat to anyone surrendering the animals, but the animals must be alive when handed over,” he stressed.
Ting reminded the public not to enter residents’ premises or turn in animals for the sake of claiming the reward.
“SMC launched this initiative to control the stray dog population and the rabies outbreak.”
He said all dogs and cats handed in were to be properly managed according to SMC’s standard operating procedure.
Handover time is during office hours which are from 9am to 11am and from 2pm to 4pm. — By ANDY CHUA
