PUTRAJAYA: There are an estimated 4,000 dogs and cats in 68 villages surrounding the rabies-affected areas of Serian, Sarawak and the Department of Veterinary Services will discuss means to create an immune belt with the state government to curb the outbreak.
“Licenced dogs within the vaccine belt will be required to go for mandatory vaccinations to protect them from rabies,” said its director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam, adding that the pets will not be allowed to roam freely outside home compounds.
Dr Quaza said this when met during a Hari Raya open house hosted by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, which was attended by its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
According to Dr Quaza, his team are still monitoring the situation within a 10km radius of Serian and 20,000 vaccines have been kept on standby.
“We have used 6,000 vaccines since the rabies outbreak last month. We have sufficient vaccine supplies to pull us through.”
He said about 33 samplings have been done and three dogs and one cat have been tested positive for the virus.
“Fortunately, the stray dog population is insignificant in Sarawak. But I would like to advice all pet owners to keep their pet dogs and cats at home during this outbreak.”
He added that more sampling will be carried out but it will take time to eradicate the virus.
A fourth rabies victim was confirmed to have contracted the virus which has since claimed the lives of two siblings in Serian.
The latest case involved a 5-year-old girl from Kampung Ampungan, who is now at the Sarawak General Hospital Intensive Care Unit.