National Security Council declares rabies second level disaster
KUCHING: Rabies has been declared as a second level disaster in the state.
The declaration was made by the Malaysian National Security Council on January 11 during a rabies outbreak meeting at Sarawak State Disaster Management Office (JPBN) here.
JPBN in a statement said the operation had been instructed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and it has channelled financial and levy assistance with a team assigned such as a doctor from the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia.
“All actions to be taken by the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) in handling the rabies pandemic will comply with the regulations of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, and the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP).
“No forbidden weapon will be used during the operation and premises cannot be entered without the owner’s permission. The presence of uniformed security personnel is also aimed as safeguarding the safety of officers from any security threat,” said the chairman of the JPBN in a media statement.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah chaired the Samarahan District Anti Rabies operation post mortem meeting at Samarahan District Council Office on Saturday evening.
The estimated dog population in the district is 5,412, while the total number of dogs vaccinated is 4,474 including 1,331 vaccinated during the operation. Some 425 stray dogs were removed.
At the moment, 82.7 per cent of dogs have been vaccinated and the next operation will be held in Kuching from April 22 to May 10.
