Rabies, dengue, HFMD, TB threats persist

As we bid farewell to 2023, reflections on resolutions for a healthier lifestyle take centre stage, setting the tone for the upcoming year.

In Sarawak’s evolving health landscape, significant changes have unfolded, showcasing both progress and challenges compared to the preceding year.

The healthcare system has adapted dynamically to global health demands and local needs.

Dr Teh Jo Hun.

According to Dr. Teh Jo Hun, a Public Health Medicine Specialist and Sibu Divisional Health Officer, rabies remains a significant public health concern.

The Sarawak Health Department has expanded clinics providing post-bite rabies vaccinations, ensuring accessibility for rural communities.

“By February next year, nearly all clinics in Sarawak will offer post-bite rabies vaccinations. We expect this improved access to encourage timely vaccinations, preventing further cases,” he said.

Highlighting a crucial step in rabies prevention, he stressed the importance of washing bite wounds for 15 minutes before seeking clinic treatment.

Dr. Teh also urged the public to vaccinate their pets and avoid contact with strays.

On October 13, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom said in a statement that out of 572 samples tested this year, 91 dogs, seven cats, and two other animals were positive for rabies.

Dr. Rundi said that the animal rabies cases were detected in Kuching (51), Padawan (13), Samarahan (8), Bintulu (7), Tebedu (6), Lundu (6), Bau (2), Sibu (2), Lawas (1), Marudi (1), Selangau (1), Siburan (1), and Simunjan (1).

He also mentioned that according to the State Health Department, Sarawak recorded 15 deaths this year from 17 rabies cases, and the cumulative total of human rabies cases now stands at 72, with 65 deaths, since July 2017.

Beyond rabies, concerns persist for dengue, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and tuberculosis.

Dr. Teh advocates mosquito breeding prevention for dengue and underscores hand hygiene to address HFMD and other diseases.

Shifting focus to non-communicable diseases, the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed that one in five Malaysian adults has diabetes.

Dr. Teh highlighted two initiatives by the Ministry of Health – the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI) and PEKA B40 – aimed at promoting screenings.

“In the Sibu division, 11,500 individuals were screened in 2023 under NHSI, uncovering many cases of diabetes and hypertension.

“For the PEKA B40 programme, 4,354 persons in Sibu underwent screening by November 2023. These programs play a crucial role in detecting new co-morbidities, facilitating early treatment to prevent complications,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked about the current surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, Dr. Teh emphasised that the most important lesson we have learned from the pandemic is that co-morbidities play an important role in the risk of developing severe disease or surviving infections.

“We have to take this opportunity to live a healthier life, eat wisely and moderately, exercise regularly, and avoid bad habits,” he stressed.

Dr Helmy Hazmi

Coinciding with Dr. Teh, Associate Professor Dr. Helmy Hazmi from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences believes the guidance to overcome COVID-19 is clear and widely disseminated.

“We know how to prevent illness and protect ourselves. In the past year, reminders have saturated all media platforms – TV, radio, social media – reaching most of the public. While a lockdown seems unlikely at present, we must continue our vigilance to maintain this status.

“This is where our civic responsibility plays a crucial role. Being civic-minded involves simple but vital actions: avoiding crowds if you’re feeling unwell, practicing proper cough etiquette, and maintaining personal and environmental hygiene,” he said.

He stressed that facing future uncertainties requires us to verify information from reliable sources. This is not just important; it’s a civic duty.

“While we naturally worry about our families’ safety, we must resist the urge to impulsively share unverified messages, especially on platforms like WhatsApp.

“Give yourself a cooling-off period to check the facts. If the information aligns with multiple trustworthy sources, then it may be appropriate to share it,” he said.

Dr Sim.

Earlier, on October 19, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian said the state Health Department will continue to monitor the COVID-19 trend and strengthen the preparedness of all public healthcare facilities in case of a further surge in cases.

“We must remain vigilant, learn from our lessons as in 2021 because of one case from Johor, which resulted in the creation of the Pasai cluster with more than 3,000 infected and more than 100 people losing their lives,” said Dr. Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (left) and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas accompanied by Family Medicine Specialist Dr Jennet Michael to watch a girl get vaccinated at Kota Sentosa Health Clinic on February 2022. Photo: Ramidi Subari

At a press conference on December 18, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad ruled out any return of lockdowns such as the MCO despite a 62.2 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases last week.

However, he said the ministry will reinstate the Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek (TRIIS) framework to prevent any outbreak.

He hoped that the current COVID-19 situation can be dealt with without having to repeat restrictions such as the MCO that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic.