Some 78,000 dogs and cats vaccinated in fight against rabies

0

KUCHING: Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development together with Ministry of Local Government and Housing, the Department of Health, Veterinary Department, local councils and NGOs are working tirelessly in the fight against rabies.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday disclosed that some 78,000 dogs and cats have been vaccinated.

“We are trying to achieve 70 per cent herd immunity in the dog population to prevent enzootic transmission of the disease,” he said.

Uggah added the way forward in this eradication programme is to apply Internet of Things (IoT) and develop apps to improve vaccination coverage, integrated bite case management, surveillance and monitoring capabilities as well as awareness campaign.

He said their slogan is ‘No Bites, No Rabies’.

The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak has started this month the second round of free mass vaccination in Serian Division for dogs that were vaccinated last year to provide better protection.

This exercise will be conducted in stages in all the affected areas comprising five teams involving government agencies, NGOs and private veterinarians. All dog owners are required to vaccinate and register their dogs.

“I would like to thank elected representatives for Padungan, Bukit Assek and Bukit Semuja for raising concerns and comments on the rabies issue. I assure them that my ministry will intensify our efforts to control the rabies menace in the state,” he said.