By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 8: One rabies positive case has been detected in Jalan Song after the victim was reportedly bitten by a dog, according to a statistical report from March 6 to April 8.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng thus urged the public to be extra careful as rabies cases recently have been quite high.
“There were also cases reported in Padawan and Satok areas and we will let the respective municipal councils disclose it.
“We want to remind pet owners to bring their dogs and cats for their annual rabies vaccination,” he said during his ShallWeeTalk live session with the community today.
The Council, he added, has also beefed up operations to monitor, track and target removal of stray dogs in areas under its jurisdiction.
“A group of six to eight dogs was spotted in an area (in Kuching) but when we (MBKS team) arrived, the dogs ran away after sensing the presence of a threat. The next day, all the dogs were gone and went into hiding,” he said.
Wee pointed out that there 20,000 dog permits issued in Kuching but only 2,000 to 3,000 had registered vaccination.
“The number is quite low. We need to achieve at least 70 to 80 per cent vaccination. So let’s work together,” he said while urging for public cooperation, especially pet owners not to neglect their responsibility by bringing their dogs and cats to get their vaccination done as soon as possible.
Public cooperation, he continued, is crucial just like during the Covid-19 pandemic period in helping to improve the situation and reduce the number of rabies cases in Sarawak.
“Rabies is virtually 99.99 per cent fatal and getting treatment from a private hospital could easily cost up to RM1,000,” he warned.
On changes to local government policy to tackle rabies, Wee said the recommendations will be submitted to the Council Standing Committee to be refined before it goes to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government to make certain rules and regulations compulsory from voluntary basis. — DayakDaily
