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MARUDI, Aug 15: Marudi District has been declared a rabies-infected area after a stray dog tested positive for rabies on August 2 at Kampung Narum, bringing the total number of areas declared as rabies-infected in Sarawak since 2017 to 73.
This was disclosed by Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Dato’ Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom today in a statement.
So far this year, 73 dogs and 5 cats tested positive for rabies out of 392 samples tested.
Animal rabies cases were detected in Lundu (3), Bau (2), Kuching (31), Padawan (18), Kota Samarahan (5), Siburan (1), Serian (1), Tebekang (4), Sibu (1), Selangau (1), Mukah (1), Bintulu (2), Marudi (1) and Lawas (1).
Dr Rundi said, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak has intensified antirabies vaccination programmes throughout Sarawak especially in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri Divisions.
This weekend on August 19 to 20, a mass vaccination programme will be held at Tempat Letak Kereta Taman Awam Miri from 9am to 4pm.
As of today, the total number of dogs vaccinated by DVS Sarawak and Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) across Sarawak is 27,668 dogs against the targeted 40,000 heads by year end.
According to the State Health Department, Sarawak recorded 13 death this year from 15 rabies cases.
The cumulative total of human rabies cases now stands at 70, with 63 deaths, since July 2017.
Base on the above, there is a rise in rabies cases in Sarawak for both human and animals.
“Therefore I would like to remind public to take extra precautions, and go to the clinic if bitten by an animal. Dog owners must be responsible to ensure their pets are vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine,” Dr Rundi added.
Any owner or person in charge of a dog who fails without reasonable cause to comply with the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Order shall be guilty of an offence and may be compounded up to RM1,000.
Owners who let their dogs roam freely on the streets shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 37, VPHO 1999.
Dog owners must keep their dogs under effective control by confining the animals within an enclosed area from which it is impossible for the dogs to escape.
The local authority may seize and impound any dog which is not on a leash in accordance with the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws, 2018. — DayakDaily
