KUCHING: Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has clarified that about half of the 200,000 dogs in Sarawak have been immunised with the anti-rabies vaccine to curb the spread of the epidemic in the state.
“And not 1.3 percent of the 300,000 dog population in Sarawak as stated by the Health Ministry,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.
He advised the Health Ministry to get its facts right so that it would not cause confusion.
On Wednesday, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said 1.3 percent of the 300,000 dogs in Sarawak had received anti-rabies vaccination.
“Our objective towards becoming rabies free is to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the dog population,” he told reporters after attending the Entrepreneurship Course in Food Processing Skills in Bakery and Frozen Food closing ceremony at a hotel here yesterday.
Uggah, who is also the state disaster management committee chairman, said the state had also mobilised and recruited more staff in its effort to stop rabies.
“Sabah will also be coming to help us with the fight against rabies,” he added.
Meanwhile, one more rabies outbreak was reported in Saratok yesterday, making it the 59th area to be affected.
