By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 30: Cats—whether pets or strays—will now be included in Sarawak’s anti-rabies vaccination programme following the first reported rabies case in the State this year, involving a 13-year-old boy who was scratched by a cat.
According to a press release, Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the student, a known cat lover, had been feeding stray cats when he was scratched in February.
He is currently in critical condition at Sarawak General Hospital.
“Thus, apart from dogs, cats will also need to be vaccinated in our ongoing fight against rabies.
“Cats have been responsible for five per cent of past cases, while dogs account for 65 per cent,” Uggah said during an SDMC meeting chaired here yesterday (May 29).
He added that Kuching and Samarahan divisions continue to record the highest number of rabies cases, while Sibu has made notable progress in reducing its caseload.
On canine vaccination, Uggah acknowledged that the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) continues to face challenges in getting dog owners to comply.
“The response is not encouraging. On top of that, the department is also facing resistance from certain animal rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and some owners are having difficulties getting their pets vaccinated.
“Therefore, the department is considering the use of oral vaccines as well as neutering options,” he added.
Uggah once again urged individuals who are bitten or scratched by animals to immediately wash the affected area with running water and soap for at least 20 minutes, and then seek prompt treatment at the nearest post-bite clinic.
“We have ample supplies of vaccines. Currently, there are about 255 government post-bite clinics statewide, along with 18 private health facilities offering the treatment,” he said, emphasising that timely intervention can prevent fatalities and complications.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, Deputy Sarawak Secretary Datuk Buckland Bangik, DVSS director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, and Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah. — DayakDaily
