BAU: There are 24,000 doses of the rabies vaccine left in Sarawak to curb the outbreak which has affected a total of 22 areas in the state.
50,000 more doses of the vaccine have been ordered for future use in Sarawak, revealed Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek at a press conference held at the Bau Civic Centre here yesterday after visiting the mass rabies vaccination centre at the venue.
According to the Minister, the ordering of the additional doses of vaccine is a collaborative effort between the state and federal governments.
The vaccine is made and supplied by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); its nearest branch is in Bangkok.
“As of yesterday, approximately 23,000 dogs have been vaccinated and most of them are owned. Only 577 stray dogs were vaccinated,” said Shabery.
It is understood that 23,000 doses of the rabies vaccine have been administered in the state.
Added the Minister:“Here in Bau, there are a total of 104 villages and according to a survey, about 8,000 dogs have been located here. Most of them are owned.
“Now, this is a challenge to us. To tackle this, we may need more manpower to cover the whole area and thus, I call upon other government agencies such as the army, police, National Civil Defense Department (JPAM) and more to help us with the vaccination operation.”
He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and the Head Director of Veterinary Service, Dato’ Dr. Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam.
The Minister also told the press that the establishment of immunity belt was currently being discussed.
“If we establish this (immunity belt), we also have to enforce new laws and regulations. Each dog must have an owner and the owners must vaccinate the dogs which need to have tags (licences) as well as health cards and so on.
“This is a common practice in many developed countries and cities. However, in Sarawak, the traditional community have been living with dogs for centuries and therefore, implementing such laws here will be extreme,” said Shabery.
He was also impressed with the cooperation given by the locals in getting their dogs vaccinated.
