By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Nov 8: The anti-rabies operation for Miri and Subis will begin this Nov 10 until 20 at the Divisional Veterinary Offices from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Miri District administrative officer Edward Tawang emphasised that those who have not get their dogs vaccinated must and can do so at the nearest Divisional Veterinary Offices from Monday to Friday (except Public Holiday) or the nearest private veterinary clinics.
“Annual booster is required to ensure their pets are fully protected,” he said in a meeting today.
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak also advised the public against adopting or buying dogs with unknown vaccination status and sources.
“If pet dogs are showing signs of symptoms of rabies such as turning aggressive, biting objects, excessive salivating and in coordination, call the nearest Veterinary Office.
“Also, please do not dump your unwanted pets. Confine dogs within the house compound because any dog found outside will be caught and removed by the local council and DVS Sarawak,” he warned.
Edward reminded pet owners to ensure that their dogs are securely leashed whenever they needed to take them out for a walk or exercise as well as to get their pets licensed with the local council.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has confirmed that the death of a five-year-old boy on Nov 2 was due to rabies today.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the boy from Kampung Mambong, Jalan Penrissen here, died on Nov 2 while undergoing intensive care treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS).
With the death of the boy, he added that the confirmed rabies cases in Sarawak since the rabies outbreak on July 17, 2017 was 22 cases, including 21 deaths.
He noted that six of those cases occurred in 2019.— DayakDaily
