KUCHING: A total of eight health teams from Sarawak Health Department (SHD) are still in the process of detecting cases of dog bites from home to home.
This was revealed by Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in a press statement received, yesterday.
Recently, there were three notifications of suspected rabies from Serian District received by SHD on 29 June and all the three cases were confirmed positive of rabies at 30 June.
As of 3 pm on 2 July, the number of confirmed cases infected with rabies virus remains three as previously reported.
According to Dr Sim in a press statement, there is no new cases reported positive for rabies virus.
From 1 April until 2 July, the cumulative number of dog bite cases in Serian district was 34 cases where SHD has actively monitored the cases involved in Kampung Paon, Sungai Rimu; Kampung Lebor, Jalan Gedong; Kampung Remun, Jalan Gedong and Kampung Krait.
SHD is also working closely with State Veterinary Services to ensure the infection of rabies virus in humans can be constrained and no further transmission occurs outside the area.
At the same time, health education activities related to rabies and its preventive measures have been held for residents of the affected villages either through a public talk or individually during case detection activities.
He further stated that the State Government will immediately buy $100,000 worth of rabies vaccines for human use to help SHD.
Rabies is a type of disease caused by Lyssavirus from animals such as dogs infected with rabies virus.
The virus is transmitted through dog bite wound, wound exposed to saliva, body fluids or tissue from the animal to human.
The incubation period is three weeks to three months from the bite of rabid animal until the symptoms appear.
Individual infected with rabies virus will experience clinical symptoms such as fever, body ache, headache, afraid of water (hydrophobia), paralysed and coma. If the signs of the disease appear, almost all rabies patients can die.
Therefore, SHD advises all residents in Serian District especially areas with positive rabies cases to take precautions to avoid from getting infected with rabies. Stay away from wild animals to decrease the risks of getting bitten especially children and if they are bitten by a dog, make sure the wound is immediately washed with plenty of water and soap and get treatment at clinic or hospital nearby as soon as possible.
For any inquiries about rabies, the public may call SHD Hotline at 082-443248 or 082- 441780 everyday from 8am till 5pm.
