KUCHING, June 25: The anti-rabies operations for Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong districts will held simultaneously from July 31-August 4.
This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas when he attended the post mortem meeting for similar operations in Serian and Simunjan Districts from June 20-24 recently.
In the next round of operations which is under its fifth phase, Uggah who is the chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee in a statement said free vaccinations would be given during the period in longhouses beginning at 4pm.
He disclosed that the Serian and Simunjan operations had proceeded smoothly without any interruption or hindrance from individuals or organisations.
He attributed this to the growing awareness among the public that such operations were for its own benefit.
“They have also realised that rabies is a very dangerous disease for which everyone must do their parts in its prevention and eradication,” he added.
For Serian District, some 13,158 dogs (87 per cent) out of the estimated population of 15,000 had been vaccinated.
During the operation there, a total of 605 stray dogs and 21 stray cats had also been removed.
Similarly for Simunjan district, some 2,412 dogs (92 per cent) out of the estimated population of 2,600 had been vaccinated.
About 253 stray dogs and two stray cats were also removed.
Uggah called on all team members of the coming operations to take the utmost care when carrying out their duties.
He said this was because during the Serian operation, a 36-year-old team member was bitten by a dog and another one aged 29 accidentally poked himself with a tranquilliser gun dart.
In a third incident in Simujan operation, a 26-year-old veterinary doctor accidentally poked herself with a dart when she sneezed.
They were all given immediate treatment and had been given a clean bill of health, he further revealed.
Uggah reiterated for all those involved to soon get themselves vaccinated at least 14 days before the operations.
Present at the meeting were the Director of the State Security and Enforcement Unit Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung and a representative from the Police Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department Supt Ang Seow Aun. — DayakDaily
