BY ALEXANDRA LORNA, LEONG Z-KEEN & VIVYNNA ANN CHABU
KUCHING: A total of 45 animals out of 174 samples this year tested positive for rabies.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the rabies-positive animals were detected in Kuching (17), Bau (4), Lundu (2), Padawan (7), Samarahan (4), Serian (3), Tebedu (1), Sri Aman (1), Bintulu (3), and Sebauh (3).
“For this month of March, 20 animal rabies cases were detected at various locations, namely Jalan Sebauh/Pandan, Sebauh Bintulu, Kampung Sejijak, Batu Kawa, Jalan. Jiu Phin, Tondong, Bau, Jalan Simen Raya 1, Pending, Kampung Keminitn Kelauh, Sri Aman, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Jalan Belatok, Padawan, Stapok Selatan, Padawan, Kampung Mambong, Padawan, Jalan Stakan Melayu, Samarahan, Sungai Plan, Bintulu, Kampung Peros, Bau, Kampung Reteh Karas, Serian, and Sungai Tengah, Matang.
“The other locations also included Kampung Tarat Melawi, Serian, Kampung Lanchang Sabai, Serian, Samarindah Baru, Samarahan, Kampung Quop, Samarahan, Lorong Kim Pang 2B, Kuching, and Jalan Chawan, Kuching.”
He made this statement—read by Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Datuk Dr Adrian Susin Ambud—after the Eradicate Rabies Strengthening Action Plan Workshop 2024 at Imperial Hotel on Wednesday (March 27).
Uggah was supposed to officiate the workshop but was forced to evacuate the venue due to a minor fire breakout in the function hall. The fire was quickly extinguished by the hotel staff.
On a related note, he stated that as of March 27, the total number of fatalities has reached 71 out of 78 rabies cases in humans since the outbreak was declared in July 2017.
“Sri Aman Division has been declared a Rabies-Infected Division by the Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development on March 25, 2024, due to new animal rabies positives detected in the division recently.
“The previously declared infected divisions included Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, and Bintulu divisions. A total of 29 areas still remain Rabies-Infected Areas, even though no rabies-positive animals were detected in those areas in 2024.”
Uggah also highlighted that last year, only 44,874 dogs were vaccinated by DVS Sarawak and the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) across Sarawak.
“This number is well below the target of 70 per cent of the estimated 230,000 dog population in the state. To achieve and maintain 70 per cent herd immunity, the workshop proposed the establishment of 14 Veterinary Mobile Teams (VMT) and 12 Enforcement Teams.
“A total of 133 new posts will be created under DVS Sarawak to intensify the anti-rabies vaccination programmes throughout the state.”
He then reminded the public to take action now to ensure that their dogs are vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine and licensed.
