Search

New rabies-infected area

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Photo: SDMC

KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) today declared Kampung Tian, Matu, Mukah as a new rabies-infected area.

“Seeing that this area is outside the 10km radius which had been declared as rabies-infected before, this area is the 64th rabies-infected area,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the SDMC’s daily Covid-19 press conference today.

He said that other areas which had been declared as rabies-infected were Kuching (seven), Sri Aman (five), Sibu (two), Miri (six), Sarikei (five), Kapit (one), Bintulu (four), Samarahan (four), Betong (three), Serian (22), and Mukah (five).

“The dog bite case which was received by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak on Monday (May 25) involved a five-year-old child who had been bitten by his pet dog on Sunday (May 24) at Taman Sanhill Barat, Sibu.

“The test results on May 27 through Antigen Rapid Rabies Ag Test showed that the dog was rabies positive,” he said, adding that the dog’s sample had also been sent to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to be tested via Direct Fluorescent Antibody Technique.

Sarawak Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing said that the child had been given the necessary treatment and vaccine and the case would be observed.

Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman, said that the number of dog bite cases in Sibu was still high; averagely 35 per cent of monthly dog bite notifications were received by DVS Sarawak.

He said that the situation was still under control and from January to May 27 this year, adding that DVS Sarawak had received 1,254 notifications of animal bite cases — of which 81.9 per cent were domesticated animals and 18.1 per cent were strays.

“Most of these are dog bite cases were due to provocation especially towards pet dogs, so the public is advised to refrain from provoking them to reduce the risk of unexpected retaliation,” he said.

He said that rabies clinics were still in operation at all hospitals statewide.

Uggah urged the public to report any bite cases and seek treatment immediately as doing so would increase the chances of recovery.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.