KUCHING, March 30: The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) will be organising a mass anti-rabies vaccination this coming Saturday (April 2) from 9am to 3pm at DVSS Semenggok headquarters and Serian Community Hall.
Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the programme would also include licensing and microchipping services.
“All dog owners are urged to bring their dogs during the programme to get the free rabies vaccination and apply for dog license from licensing counters by the local authority,” he said in a statement today.
For those who could miss the Saturday mass vaccination programme, the owners are encouraged to bring their pets to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Offices during office hours for the same services.
Under the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Order, Dr Rundi reminded that all dogs in Sarawak must be vaccinated against rabies.
Otherwise, he said the owner or person in charge of a dog who fails to comply with the order shall be found guilty of an offence, and could be fined not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 40, Veterinary Public Health Ordinance (VPHO), 1999.
Dogs without evidence of vaccination may be detained or destroyed under the law as well.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi said 41,868 dogs or 20 per cent of the total 208,886 dogs vaccinated by DVSS against rabies across Sarawak since 2017, had received their booster shots.
From January to March 29 this year, he added, DVSS had identified 14 areas in Sarawak where dogs have been tested positive for rabies.
The locations included Sungai Tapang Kuching, Batu Kawa Kuching, Batu 10 Padawan, Batu 11 Jalan Kuching-Serian Padawan, Taman Beverly Hill Padawan and Batu 11 1/2 Jalan Kuching-Serian Padawan, Tebako Lundu, Munggu Demam Batu Lintang Sri Aman, Sg Ara Lubok Antu, Lorong Kandis 6D Sibu, Telok Assan Jalan Paradom Sibu, Sungai Tulai Bintangor Sarikei and Jalan Bukit Ensuna Serian.
“All these new rabies positive areas are still within the 10km radius of the previously declared rabies-infected areas which was last declared in July 2021.
“A total number of 72 areas in Sarawak has been declared as rabies-infected areas: Kuching (7), Samarahan (4), Serian (22), Sri Aman (6), Betong (3), Sarikei (5), Sibu (3), Kapit (1), Mukah (6), Bintulu (5), Miri (8) and Limbang (2),” said Dr Rundi.— Dayakdaily
