Dr Subra: Assume all dogs in Sarawak exposed to rabies

KUCHING: The public must assume all dogs in Sarawak are exposed to the threat of rabies and must fully support the government's vaccination programme to curb its outbreak, said Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

The Health Minister said that controlling the spread of rabies remains a top priority and the public must give their full cooperation and support.

The majority of samples taken from dogs in rabies-infected areas were found to be positive. We estimated the number at around 60%, which means there is a one-in-two chance that a stray dog that bites you in these areas might be infected with rabies," he said.

Dr Subramaniam also said that it is mandatory for dog owners to get their pets vaccinated annually as vaccination is the only way to reduce the rate of dogs with rabies.

"We need public societies, NGOs and corporate bodies to play an integral role as we are saving human lives as well," he told reporters on Monday (Feb 12) after visiting the home of an eight-year-old boy who survived rabies encephalitis at Kampung Bayor, Serian.

The victim is the only survivor of rabies encephalitis, which has claimed the lives of six others since the outbreak in Sarawak began last July.

Dr Subramaniam advised the public to always be wary when in close contact with dogs, citing the previous case of 59-year-old Bong Fah Sin, who died on Feb 4.

Bong was the sixth person to die from rabies since its outbreak.

The minister said Bong was bitten by someone's pet in November and was not referred to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) immediately for anti-rabies vaccination.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the government will continue its vaccination programme and remove stray dogs off the streets in rabies-infected areas.

"Do report if you encounter any dogs suspected to have rabies because every dog is a potential carrier. It does not necessarily have to be a stray," he said.

"At the same time, dog owners must also send their pets for vaccination annually. Our war is against rabies, not against dogs but we must make sure all the dogs are vaccinated," he added.

As of Feb 11, 29 localities have been declared rabies-infected in five divisions of Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Sarikei.

The state Health department continues to carry out its active case detection exercise in these areas.

About 80,000 individuals were interviewed from over 20,000 households, where 6,719 dog bite cases were detected.

According to the department, all cases have received treatment and monitored by its special team, with anti-rabies vaccine given to 2,671 individuals.

Over 46,000 animals have been given rabies vaccination including 38,400 dogs and 7,990 cats.

The department has spent RM2.57mil to purchase 11,740 vials of rabies vaccine and 200 vials of Rabies Immunoglobulin worth RM132,000.