KUCHING: “Ops Rabies” will be held at three zones for four days, starting April 4 to 8.
The public are therefore advised to keep their pets indoors or risk losing them.
Any pet on the loose during the period will be taken off the streets and put to sleep without notice.
“Ops Rabies” will cover Batu Kawa and Kota Sentosa (Zone A), 10th Mile and Siburan (Zone B) and Beratok and Tapah (Zone C).
Sarawak Administrative Officer Suraijah Zainol, a representative of Kuching District Officer, announced the operation yesterday at the “Rabies Awareness Programme” held at the Unity Hall RPR Phase 1 and 2 Batu Kawa.
“‘Ops Rabies” is a preventive measure by the state government together with the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) in curbing the rabies outbreak,” she pointed out.
Suraijah explained that the situation is under Level 2 Threat.
In attendance were Senior Assistant Director (Control Department), Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Dr Nicholas Jenek, Medical Officer (CDC) Sarawak Health Department, Dr Teoh Wan Jool and Sergeant Major Affendi Abdullah of Padawan District police.
In an interview with New Sarawak Tribune, Dr Nicholas said a more direct approach in this matter needs to be enforced.
“Public awareness of this matter is still low. They treat this lightly,” he said.
On cats, Dr Nicholas said, “Cats infected with rabies aren’t as dangerous as dogs which are very territorial and will attack.”
