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RM2.9M to fight Rabies outbreak

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Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg showing reporters the areas infected by rabies after holding a press conference at 10th Mile Community Hall yesterday. PHOTO: BERNAMA
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg showing reporters the areas infected by rabies after holding a press conference at 10th Mile Community Hall yesterday. PHOTO: BERNAMA

PADAWAN: A total of RM2.9 million has been allocated by both federal and state government to mitigate rabies outbreak in the state, which started last month.

RM2.4 million will be spent mainly for vaccines and another RM500,000 will be spent for vaccines and equipment that will be needed for the front-liners to carry out the operation.

Areas along the borders are more susceptible to rabies such as Tebedu and Lachau. Hence, on Friday (today) the State Disaster Management Committee, led by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be negotiating with the Indonesian Consulate.

This was said by the Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg in a press conference at 10th Mile Community Hall during his visit to the mass vaccination held at the same place.

He added that rabies was still confined to the areas declared as affected that included Sri Aman, Serian and Tebedu.

 As of now, a total of 18 villages have been declared affected which are Kampung Krait, Kampung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paon Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun, Kampung Lebor, Kampung Saroban, Kampung Tangga, Bandar Serian, Pekan Sibarun and others.

When asked on the proposed immune belt to be established along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, Johari said that the state government is looking into the matter.

 Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the negotiation with the Indonesian Consulate will be mainly on sharing of knowledge.

“Through this sharing of knowledge, we could work out a way in creating a buffer zone between Sarawak-Kalimantan to coordinate on rabies detection.

“Early detection is key to mitigating the outbreak. Dogs stationed at the borders will be vaccinated and their movements will also be restricted.

 Buffer zones in Padawan and 7th mile have also been established to stop the outbreak from spreading to a denser populated area (Kuching).

“When one animal has been tested positive, a buffer zone will be established within 10km radius of the area, which will then be declared rabies affected,” said Douglas.

According to a statement published by the secretariat of the State Disaster Management Committee, 32 animals had been tested positive with rabies comprising  26 dogs and 6 cats as of yesterday.

 Since 1 April, 516 cases of dog bites have been recorded and a total of 361 victims have turned up to receive vaccination.

 The most recent case of rabies inflicted a 52-year-old Iban man from Kampung Remun last Wednesday. He is currently in a critical state hospitalized in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH). This is the fifth case recorded.

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