GEORGE TOWN: A British-based animal welfare charity has offered Penang an alternative option of 40,000 rabies vaccinations to counter the threat of an outbreak here, instead of the mass culling of dogs.
The offer came from Dr Luke Gamble, the founder and CEO of Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS).The organisation also has a progamme known as Mission Rabies.
However, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) said on Tuesday that the option of mass vaccinations would depend on the availability of vaccines and the approval from Putrajaya to bring in the supply.
"Dr Luke Gamble informed us of the programme he implemented in countries heavily infested with rabies, which he felt was effective in preventing the spread of the outbreak.
"The state is willing to collaborate with this effort and set up a team to work out the logistics of mass vaccinations.
"However, it is expected to take about three to six months until the programme is ready to go, and we will continue with the culling of strays in a humane manner," he said in a press conference.
A total of 883 stray dogs have been culled as of Monday.
He said three dogs have tested positive for rabies in the state and there had been 90 cases of dog bites in Penang so far.
Sanitary Phyto Sanitary senior chief assistant director Dr Rozanah Asmah Abd Samad said an evaluation needed to be conducted before the vaccines were allowed into the country.
"The process for approval will take approximately two to three months, but in emergency situations we can expedite the process.
"However, it will still take at least one month," she said, adding that a supply of 750 vaccines arrived in Penang on Friday.
Lim added that state government had also purchased 5,000 vaccines on its own.
Dr Gamble said the cost of 40,000 vaccines, which would be sponsored, could amount to £40,000 (RM270,000).
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