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KUCHING, Sept 20: The Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) has established 64 post-bite clinics in public healthcare facilities and 29 post-bite clinics in private healthcare facilities across Sarawak to increase access to anti-rabies treatment and vaccines for those who have been affected.
According to a press release issued today by JKNS director Dr Ooi Choo Huck, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) injections are also available in 11 hospitals in Sarawak to treat high-risk cases.
“JKNS would like to inform all that 17 cases of rabies in humans, including 15 deaths, have been recorded in Sarawak from Jan 1 to Sept 17 this year.
“For the 17 cases reported this year, five cases were from Sibu Division, four cases were from Serian Division, three cases were from Kuching Division, three cases were from Bintulu Division, and two cases were from Samarahan Division.
“There is a significant increase in cases compared to only ten cases for the same period in 2022 which is an increase of seven cases or 70 per cent. The cumulative number of human rabies cases in Sarawak since the outbreak was declared in July 2017 until now is 72 cases with 65 deaths,” Dr Ooi disclosed.
He said that based on the evaluation of four death cases for the months of Aug and Sept 2023, two cases had a history of being bitten by a pet dog, one case had a history of being scratched by a pet cat, and one case was suspected of having a current infection from handling a pet dog carcass.
“All cases did not seek treatment at any health facility after being bitten, scratched, or handling animal carcasses.
“Therefore, the public is advised to immediately seek treatment at a health facility immediately after being bitten or scratched by a pet.
“The public is also advised not to handle animal carcasses with unknown infection status, including domestic animals, and to report any such handling to local authorities.”
Furthermore, Dr Ooi reminded that, in light of the recent increase in rabies cases among humans in Sarawak, the public should always take precautions to avoid rabies infection.
“If bitten, scratched, or exposed to animal saliva, wounds must be washed immediately with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes; seek treatment right away at a post-bite clinic or any nearby health facility; be sure to take the complete anti-rabies vaccine according to the appointment given by the medical practitioner; and do not handle any wild animals, including stray dogs and cats whether alive or dead.
“Should one need to handle any wild animals, including stray dogs and cats whether alive or dead, they should report the matter to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak or the nearest local authority for further action,” he explained.
Dr Ooi added that JKNS has held discussions with various agencies, including DVS Sarawak to strengthen cooperation in dealing with the spread of rabies.
“Among the actions taken include organising mass rabies vaccination programmes for dogs in locations where the disease has been detected among animals and raising public awareness of rabies,” he remarked. — DayakDaily
