Kuching, Bintulu declared rabies-infected areas; compulsory vaccination for all dogs in Sarawak

A dog being administered with the anti-rabies vaccine during a vaccination programme in this file photo.

KUCHING, Jan 16: Kuching and Bintulu divisions have been declared rabies-infected areas today following the detection of rabies.

Sarawak Minister For Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said 12 dogs were tested positive in Kuching (8), Padawan (1), Bau (1) and Bintulu (2) from 16 samples collected.

Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom

“All dogs tested were roaming freely and unvaccinated. Therefore, I would like to remind public to take extra precaution and go to clinic if bitten by an animal,” he said in a statement today.

He further pointed out that he had signed the anti-rabies vaccination order under Section 40 (1) Veterinary Public Health Ordinance (VPHO) 1999 today, which stipulates that all dogs within the State must be submitted to anti-rabies vaccination and the subsequent annual booster.

“Dog owners must be responsible to ensure their pets are vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine. Any owner or person in charge of a dog who fails to comply shall be guilty of an offence up to RM2,500.

“Dogs that are already exposed to rabies, which do not carry the proper evidence of vaccination will be put to sleep,” he added.

In addition, he said the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak together with Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) and Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) have intensified the anti-rabies vaccination programmes throughout the State, with the target to vaccinate 50,000 dogs this year.

The public can get free anti-rabies vaccination for their dogs at any Government Veterinary Offices during office hours and mass vaccination will be announced from time to time on the official DVS Sarawak’s Facebook account at www.facebook.com/DVSSarawak.

According to Sarawak Health Department, the State recorded 16 deaths last year from 18 human rabies cases.

This brings the cumulative total human rabies cases to stand at 73 to date, with 66 deaths, since July 2017.

Rundi also reminded dog owners not to let their dogs roam freely on the streets as they can be fined up to RM5,000 under Section 37 (3) of VPHO 1999 or up to RM2,500 under section 37 (4).

The local authority, he said, may seize and impound any dogs which are not on a leash in accordance with the local authorities.

At the same time, he said the authority will conduct random house-to-house check for the compliance of dog licensing starting February 2024.

“Dog licensing is compulsory under Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws, 2018. Dog owner without license is liable to a fine up to RM5,000.

“Licensed dogs which are vaccinated will be microchipped for permanent identification.

“Meanwhile, non-breeder dogs are required to be neutered to prevent breeding and to control dog population in the State,” he emphasised. – DayakDaily