A total of 114 out of 822 animal samples taken were tested positive for rabies as of Nov 7, says Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
He said 74 cases tested positive for rabies were recorded in Kuching, followed by Serian (six), Sri Aman (four), Samarahan (eight), Kapit (four), Mukah (four), and Bintulu (14).
“Since the rabies outbreak was declared in 2017, there have been 75 human deaths reported among 82 rabies cases, including seven fatalities this year,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech, Tuesday (Nov 19).
In response to the high number of rabies-positive dogs in Kuching, the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had initiated an Integrated Rabies Operation in the city, focusing on areas with the highest incidence of human rabies cases.
“The operation aims to conduct house-to-house checks for compliance with dog licensing laws, rabies vaccinations, and the targeted removal of stray dogs.
“Agencies involved include the Sarawak State Health Department, the Department of Veterinary and Services Sarawak (DVS), the Royal Malaysian Police, the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit, and local councils, along with relevant non-governmental organisation.”
He added that as of Oct, a total number of 13,757 dogs were vaccinated and DVS Sarawak will continue to carry out mass vaccinations all over Sarawak as well as various awareness programmes.
“The establishment of the Veterinary Mobile Team (VMT) will accelerate the vaccination coverage to at least 50,000 dogs yearly.”
On another note, he hoped the Sarawak government would approve the additional 134 posts that were requested for the establishment.
“We would like to appeal to all members in this August House and other relevant agencies, especially the local council, to give full support in combating this deadly disease,” said Dr Rundi.
