KUCHING: Mass Vaccination, Dog Licensing and Microchipping programmes will be held monthly in six areas to reduce the spread of rabies.
The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) will conduct the programmes to provide the public with easy access to vaccinate and license their pet dogs.
“In order to control and prevent the disease, MPP and DVS are taking proactive measures to actively register and vaccinate dogs.
“The objective is to raise public awareness and responsibility in caring for their pet dogs and thereby, reduce the risk of rabies spreading,” said MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
He said this when officiating at the Mass Vaccination, Dog Licensing and Microchipping programme held at DVS’ premises, Jalan Semonggok today.
The public are advised to have their dogs vaccinated with the anti -rabies vaccine under the Anti Rabies Vaccination Order to reduce the risk of their pets contracting rabies infection and to follow-up with booster vaccination annually.
He said that currently only 20 per cent of vaccinated dogs had received booster vaccination and the public were advised to license their pet dogs as stipulated under By Law 4(1) of Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-Law, 2018.
From 2017 to 2021, there were 22,996 cases of animal bites recorded in Kuching Division, out of which about 58 per cent were dog bite cases.
Sarawak recorded the first case of human rabies in July 2017 and from that period until 2021, 41 cases were recorded. Of those figures, 39 cases resulted in deaths.
“By registering dogs through licensing, the authorities will be able to gain and share accurate dog population information within a certain area and plan resources such as vaccine and other activities for the control and prevention of the disease,” he stated.
This year, MPP and DVS will hold the programme monthly tentatively at Jalan Penrissen (Batu 7 basketball court), Batu Kawa (Desa Wira), Batu Kawa (Batu 4, Jalan Arang), Batu Kawa (Pekan Batu Kawa Lama) and Matang-Malihah area.
“The community may keep abreast of the schedule and exact location of this programmes later through mass media such as Facebook, official websites and other channels updated by the authorities.
“The community is strongly advised to participate and disseminate information of such programmes because public cooperation is vital in the effort to defeat the menace of rabies,” added Lo.
