50,000 rabies vaccines ordered to combat outbreak

KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has ordered 50,000 doses of rabies vaccines to combat the outbreak in the northern states.

Its deputy director-general Dr Kamarudin Md Isa said a request had been made from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) through the Regional Vaccine Bank for Rabies in Asia.

He said it would take more than a week for the vaccines to be delivered as the bank was based out of Paris, France.

"In the meantime, we have enough vaccines to immunise pets," he said at a press conference Monday, referring to the DVS's stockpile of around 50,000 doses.

The contagious disease had been reported in Kedah, Penang and Perlis. Since Aug 19, 22 cases have been reported in Perlis.

Asked about the controversy on the culling of stray dogs, Dr Kamarudin said the department would be vaccinating animals though it needed to also reduce the number of strays.

"We are not for culling. We are reducing the number of stay dogs to keep them apart ... to reduce the risk of transmission," he said.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the move to cull stray dogs on Thursday, meeting protests from animal rights groups who deemed it inhumane.