Bintulu division latest to be hit by rabies

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World Health Organization factfile on rabies.

KUCHING: Bintulu division is now the latest to be hit by the spread of the rabies, after two localities there were declared as the latest rabies-infected areas in Sarawak.

This was not long after three areas (one in Mukah and two in Miri) were declared as rabies-infected on Oct 12.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in a statement issued by State Disaster Management Committee this evening announced Taman Bandar Jaya, Jalan Tun Hussein Onn and SK Sg Selad, kilometre 35, Bintulu – Tatau coastal road as the 45th and 46th areas in the state declared as rabies-infected.

Uggah, who is also State Disaster Management Committee, explained in the statement that the declaration was made because of rabies outbreak within 10km vicinity of those areas.

He however did not mention whether the outbreak was due to discovery of rabid dogs or animals in those areas.

He nonetheless reminded pet owners that it is offence to let their dogs roam free in a rabies infected area, or to move them out from a rabies infected area without written consent from the state veterinary authority.

Both are offences punishable under the Section 37(2) & (3) of the Ordinance, with a fine not more than RM2,500 or jail term not more than two months or both.

On Oct 12, a man who tried to bring a dog from Kuching to Limbang became the first person to be compounded for taking a dog out from a rabies-infected area without movement permit from the state veterinary authority.

Based on news reports, the dog was transported by air from Kuching to Lawas via transit in Miri.

Acting on tip off from the public, the veterinary officer from Lawas went to check on the dog and its owner, and it was found that no movement permit was sought to bring the dog there.

The dog owner was subsequently compounded RM500.