Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian speaking to reporters in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Sarawak will consider publicising the locations where dogs have tested positive for rabies in order to increase public awareness of the disease.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said he would discuss the matter with state Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, as the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) comes under his ministry.
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"Similar to what we did during Covid-19, if dogs test positive for rabies I'm in favour of identifying the location.
"Then people in the area will be more aware and alert," Dr Sim told reporters here on Wednesday (May 3).
He said this could be an intermediate measure in the state’s efforts to eradicate the rabies outbreak which emerged in 2017.
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His remarks came after a stray dog recently captured by the Kuching South City Council at Taman BDC here tested positive for rabies on Monday (May 1).
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng had said the test result was confirmed by DVS, adding that the dog had bitten nine people before it was captured.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim also called for public cooperation in the war against rabies.
He reminded dog owners to get their pets vaccinated annually against the disease.
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"We want to eradicate rabies once and for all. To do this, rabies must first stop in the dogs, so owners must have the responsibility to vaccinate their pets," he said.
In addition, Dr Sim advised those bitten or scratched by dogs to seek treatment at dog bite clinics.
"Don't wait but go to the clinic to get assessed. If you are at high risk, the clinic will give you vaccination against rabies," he said, adding that rabies deaths were preventable.
