SIBU: Michael Tiang Ming Tee has stressed the need to increase public awareness regarding rabies prevention and treatment.
The Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government said that while the number of rabies cases in Sarawak is currently under control, it has been increasing yearly.
He pointed out that before 2017, Sarawak recorded zero human rabies cases, and “with proper intervention and public education, we can surely return to that state.”
Dr Ooi (second from left) presenting a souvenir to Tiang (fourth from right).
“We have been conducting a lot of awareness campaigns and sending messages through various channels, but it seems like awareness is still very low.
“We really need to urge owners not to let their cats and dogs roam freely, keep them inside the house, and when you get bitten, please seek treatment immediately,” he added on Thursday (Sept 28).
Tiang spoke to the media when he officiated at the World Rabies Day event here. He was representing Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim, in his speech read by Tiang, said that rabies is still a major public health problem in Sarawak.
“The total number of human rabies cases in Sarawak is 72 so far, with 65 (90.3 per cent) deaths. Most of these cases were preventable if they had received post-bite vaccination.
“There were 88,606 cases of animal bites: Dog – 49,457 cases (55.8 per cent); Cat – 39,149 cases (44.2 per cent) from July 1, 2017, to Aug 31, 2023, over six years, or around 14,000 bites per year,” he said.
Dr Sim said that the huge number of animal bites is alarming, with the potential for rabies in each bite case.
“The good news is that rabies is preventable. It is within our power to bring an end to this terrible disease, and that power lies in our hands – in the hands of every individual, community, and nation to promote and fight against this disease,” he added.
Also present were Sarawak Health Department director Dr Ooi Choo Huck and assistant director (public health) Dr Veronica Lugah, Sarawak Veterinary deputy director Dr Nicholas Jenek, and others.
