Rabies in Kuching: MBKS calls for SDMC’s intervention to prevent further spread in Sarawak

Wee (centre) at a press conference on rabies cases at MBKS on Jan 11, 2024.

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING Jan 11: Kuching City South Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng suggests that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) be given the task of tackling and controlling the spread of rabies in Sarawak.

Wee said that this is to prevent further spread of the disease in Sarawak and that he believed that SDMC has a systematic approach to tackle it.

“Rabies is getting alarming here in Kuching, and we want it to be prevented (in Kuching) and also in other parts of Sarawak.

“If SDMC could tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in Sarawak, I am pretty sure it could do the same in tackling the spread of rabies,” he told reporters during a press conference at his office today.

At the press conference, Wee announced 12 rabid cases involving two dogs in Kuching.

A rabid dog victimised 11 residents on Jan 7 at Tabuan Desa Indah while another infected dog bit its own master at Lorong Tabuan Timur.

Wee said he had spoken to SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and also to Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

There are currently 4,482 dogs registered under MBKS and to date, 1,000 have been vaccinated.

The control of the rabies outbreak is officially under the purview of the State Veterinary Department currently but as a responsible city council, MBKS is always ready to assist.

MBKS is also willing to accept any constructive and effective suggestions where it even monitor social media and the press for implementable and sensible proposals.

Also present were his deputy, Dato Zaiedi Suhaili and MBKS councillors. — DayakDaily