KUCHING, April 24: With Sarawak still on alert for rabies cases, 27 new bite cases from dogs and cats were reported today.
The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) in a statement said this is an increase of 170 per cent (17 cases) compared to yesterday (April 23).
A total of 19 cases came from dog bites, where 15 cases involved pets while another four involved stray dogs, and eight cases of cat bites, in which four came from pets and another four from strays.
Kuching recorded the highest number with 18 cases, followed by Sri Aman (3), Sarikei (3), Semarahan (2) and Serian (1).
The committee said only 11 victims received the anti-rabies vaccine.
To date, 30 areas from five divisions namely Kuching (4), Samarahan (3), Serian (21), Sri Aman (1), and Sarikei (1) are still declared as rabies infested areas.
The state health department will continue to carry out its active case detection exercise in these areas.
According to the department, 8,867 individuals were bitten since April 1, last year.
All cases have received treatment and monitored by its special team, with anti-rabies vaccine given to 3,403 individuals.
A total of 62,348 animals have been given rabies vaccination including 54,207 dogs, 8,088 cats and 53 other animals. — DayakDaily
