KUCHING: Residents in Batu Kitang state constituency are urged to be cautious around stray dogs as there were two rabies fatalities reported this month.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang said that there was a rabies fatality case reported in Kampung Tematu involving a 24-year-old man on May 10 while another was reported from Kampung Bumbok on May 11 where a 50-year-old man died after being bitten by a rabid dog.
He said that this was probably because they did not seek immediate medical attention after they got bitten by the stray dog, adding that it was sad to hear they died from rabies disease.
“Where rabies is concerned, we must wash our wounds and seek medical attention immediately,” said Lo when met by the media at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event in Kampung Haji Baki community hall this morning.
He also informed that two more villagers had sought medical attention after they got bitten by dogs in Kampung Bumbok on Saturday night.
Hence, Lo urged local authorities and enforcement agencies to promptly act to stop the rabies outbreak in the state which has claimed eight lives this year.
“So, I would like to urge the public to keep the pet dogs inside their house compound and get them vaccinated against rabies.
“Please keep them from roaming freely on the street,” he said.
In addition, the former Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman said that the capturing of stray dogs on the street might be the only way to eradicate rabies.
