Kho: Need to look into spread of rabies

suppadmin | August 23, 2018

SUPP Woman’s chief, Kho Teck Wan said the 5 years old boy who succumbed to rabies virus yesterday was the 13^th victim of the Rabies outbreak in Sarawak. The victim died despite being treated with proper course of vaccination after bitten by a dog.

There are 2 deaths this week due to the rabies virus and the outbreak condition is worrisome.Kho urges the federal agencies especially the Department of Veterinary Services, Department of Health, Police and border patrols to work closely with Sarawak Veterinary Department and local authorities to relook into the current efforts and re-strategies immediately if needed to strengthen and control the outbreak. Sarawak will need more manpower and funding to combat the Rabies outbreak.

Kho also plead to the Federal government to allow Sarawak government and local agencies to engage international non-governmental agencies’ expertise and assistance in the effort to fight the Rabies outbreak. Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has been working with the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak to provide mass vaccination at the outbreak and potential outbreak areas in Sarawak since last year. These agencies will be more effective should more manpower, expert’s advice and assistance are provided officially.

Kho urges the Sarawak Veterinary Department to take immediate control measures and setup dog shelters for strays to reduce the number of cases .

The Public is urged to seek help at the dog bite unit at the government hospital immediately if they are bitten. Kho urges the public to vaccinate their pet dogs if they haven’t done so. We should fully utilize the programs currently run by Sarawak government as there are free mass vaccination program organized by the Sarawak Veterinary Department and SSPCA. Currently the door to door vaccination program is also on going in Batu Kawa area. No dog registration certificate is required for the dog to get the free vaccination.

“We need urgent control measures. The relevant authorities and members of the public need to work together in this effort to fight the Rabies outbreak,” stressed Kho.