KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has called for a joint effort to combat the deadly rabies through a campaign which begins today (May 8).
Nine cases of rabies were recorded within just two days, raising an alarm among the community.
Wee shared his concerns about the outbreak and declared a war against rabies, saying: “It is time that we come together to fight against this fatal disease and declare war against rabies while there is still time.”
“Our goal is to create safe communities and a healthy city that is free from rabies, and it is our duty to serve, protect, and keep our people safe,” he said during a briefing before the council started its rabies operation.
He emphasised the importance of working together to achieve the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) mission of achieving zero human rabies deaths within seven years.
“We have faced a three-year pandemic, and I have confidence that we can fight rabies as long as we work as a team,” he said.
The campaign to combat rabies will start this week, with the primary objective of creating a rabies-free area and clearing as many stray animals as possible from public areas.
The mayor assured the public that the operation will be conducted safely and professionally, with everyone involved wearing proper attire and using appropriate equipment.
“The purpose of the rabies operation is twofold. First, we must ensure that our area is rabies-free, and second, we aim to clear as many stray animals as possible from public areas,” said Wee.
Besides, he added, safety is their utmost priority and assured that the local council will handle all strays in a proper and safe manner.
In addition, Wee thanked the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) for their assistance should there be any form of interruption by other parties during the operation.
He also acknowledged the coordination efforts by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Local Government (MPHLG), the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), the Kuching North City Hall and Padawan Municipal Council (DBKU/MPP).
Meanwhile, to prevent the spread of rabies, Wee stressed the importance of vaccinating dogs.
He said the government is currently drafting rabies control strategies and guidelines, including amending the old policy and ordinance.
“Let us work together to combat this deadly disease and create a safer and healthier community for ourselves and our loved ones,” Wee said.
Yesterday (May 7), he said that the council will carry out an anti-rabies operation throughout the city from May 8-12.
The five-day operation would involve local authorities such as MBKS, DBKU, MPP, as well as DVS and the police.
