By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 7: Two cases of dog bites have been reported in Sarawak this week, specifically in Taman Cinmuk in Kampung Quap Mile 10 and Mile 14 Kemena in Bintulu.
Due to this, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng once again stressed the importance of vigilance within the community.
“We are planning another awareness campaign to encourage pet owners to bring their pets for annual anti-rabies vaccinations.
“If you are a caring pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your pets receive the necessary vaccinations. I hope everyone will collaborate to ensure Sarawak wins the fight against rabies,” he shared during this ShallWeeTalk online session today.
Mayor Wee is currently leading a delegation from MBKS on a working visit to Seoul, South Korea, where he has explored opportunities for educational collaborations and exchanges at Dongyang Mirae University in Guro District.
Rabies remains a significant public health concern in Sarawak, with 72 recorded cases in humans, resulting in 65 deaths, accounting for 90.3 per cent of cases.
However, it is crucial to note that most of these cases could have been prevented if the victims had sought treatment promptly after being bitten.
Sarawak has reported a staggering 88,606 cases of animal bites from July 1, 2017, to Aug 31, 2023.
Of these cases, dog bites constituted 49,457 cases (or 55.8 per cent), while cat bites accounted for 39,149 cases (44.2 per cent), averaging around 14,000 bites annually. — DayakDaily
