KUCHING, Oct 1: The number of dog bite incidences remain at an alarming high with an average of 300 cases per week being reported despite government measures to curb the rabies epidemic in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas called on the state Health Department to look into the matter.
“According to official figures, there are about 300 dog bite cases per week on the average. I am wondering whether the high figures is peculiar to the state.
“Perhaps the Health Department can enlighten us on this,” he said after the State Disaster Management Committee meeting to fine-tune preparations for the next anti-rabies operations, here, today.
The seventh anti-rabies operations, from Oct 4-15, will cover Dalat, Matu, Daro, Mukah, Bintulu, Tatau and the Belaga districts.
Uggah, who is also the committee chairman, said anti-rabies mopping exercise to vaccinate dogs and remove targetted strays will be carried out beginning next year, in an aim of achieving at least 70 per cent vaccination coverage among the dog population.
“In the six operations conducted so far, we have only achieved vaccination coverage of only 61.49 per cent of the estimated 200,000 dogs across the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 7,584 stray dogs and 73 stray cats have been removed in the fight against rabies.
He said the two main objectives for the operations were to achieve 100 per cent dog vaccination success rate and the targetted removal of stray dogs.
“Apparently, we have not been able to achieve both objectives. So beginning next year, there will be a Vaccination 2020 programme, which is a mopping up operation to ensure we bring up the vaccination coverage to 70 per cent,” he continued.
Uggah added that data on pet dogs will be collected to improve pet owners management.
“I hope the respective councils will enforce whatever regulations available on keeping pets,” he said.
Uggah was happy to note that many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and opposition political parties had given their support to the operations, although some people were still sceptical and prejudiced.
“Our biggest problem is the cross movement of dogs at our borders. We cannot monitor nor control this effectively given our very long borders,” he said.
Uggah said the eighth and last operation will cover the Miri Division.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, state Security and Enforcement Unit director Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung, state Veterinary Services director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud and DCP Datuk Dev Kumar were present. — DayakDaily
