Engaging WHO help an option
Sarawak govt looking at where experts from the world body can fit in, in the war against rabies
Uggah, flanked by Dr Sim (left) and Dr Adrian, showing the WhatsApp number.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government does not discount the possibility of engaging experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help in the fight against rabies.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said they were in active discussion over suggestions that Sarawak engage WHO experts in the war against the deadly disease.
“We are looking at what role they can play and where we need help either in terms of experience, expertise or manpower.
“At the moment, we try to resolve it (rabies problem) within the state, where the Veterinary in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah are also helping us,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Earlier, Uggah chaired the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee, where they had decided on several strategies and measures to strengthen rabies control and eradication programmes in Sarawak.
He said the committee had directed the National Security Council to continue the discussion with the Indonesian Security Authority on cooperation for more effective control of dog movements between Sarawak and Kalimantan in Indonesia, which included the removal of strays in the immune belt.
Besides that, he said the committee had also agreed on a standard operating procedure (SOP) to carry out rabies control measures suggested by the Army and General Operations Force at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
In addition, the local authorities had also been directed to enforce their by-laws including licensing of dogs as well as to advise pet owners to keep their dogs indoors, he added.
“Aside from that, the Residents in the divisions together with the relevant agencies are also to conduct road blocks from time to time to deter movement of animals from Oct 6 until further notice,” he said.
He pointed out it is an offence under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, 1999 to move dogs from a rabies-infected area to other areas in the state, which provides for a fine of RM5,000 or a jail sentence of three months or both.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act of the same ordinance, it is also an offence to abandon dogs.
Uggah said the State Health Department had set up dog bite clinics in Sibu, Kapit and Miri hospitals, and the government was proposing a new Dog By-Law 2018 with new regulatory measures for pet management.
He also noted that control measures had been effective in Serian Division.
“There were good community engagement through our awareness campaigns, adequate vaccination coverage and effective stray dog population control.
“This has led to a reduction of bite cases and no human rabies cases in that area,” he said, adding that due to the success, Serian would be used as a model for other divisions.
Uggah encouraged the public to visit Sarawak Disaster Information Facebook page to get the latest information on mass vaccination and also latest news on rabies and educational materials, while those who wish to give feedback and suggestions on how to control and eradicate rabies could send them via WhatsApp at 016-2051111.
Also attending the press conference were Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
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