KOTA KINABALU: Ongoing rabies cases in neighbouring Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia, have raised the alert level in Sabah.
The Kota Kinabalu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society stated that measures were being taken to respond to and prevent rabies cases in the region.
Recently, the Sabah Veterinary Services Department partnered with the society to hold a rabies awareness campaign.
The campaign involved over 4,000 primary school pupils in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Penampang, learning about rabies, its symptoms, what to do and how to call for help if bitten.
“Early education is essential to ensuring communities, especially school children, know how to respond safely if rabies ever enters Sabah.
“Under the campaign’s key message, 'No Bite, No Rabies,' students were taught the vital steps to take if bitten to wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, inform an adult at once and seek prompt medical treatment,” said the society’s education lead, Faridah Malai.
Dr Stuart Chin, President of the society, commends the department for leading the state’s largest-ever Rabies Awareness Campaign for primary schools.
He said the campaign reached 4,295 students and 259 teachers across 15 schools in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran.
“The impact was exceptional, with student comprehension rates surpassing 90% and overall awareness recorded at over 99%,” he said.
Dr Chin said the society supports the department’s proposal to expand the programme statewide, including to Sandakan, Tawau, Kudat, Beaufort and Keningau.
The closing ceremony for this six-month Anti-Rabies Awareness Programme was held at SJK(C) Shan Tao near here on Nov 13.
