Rabies: Three positive cases in Kuching involving two pets, one stray

Wee sharing rabies development in Kuching area during his 194th ShallWeeTalk session online on Dec 16, 2023.

KUCHING, Dec 17: Three positive rabies cases were detected in Kuching this week, involving a pet cat and dog and a stray dog.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng stated that the owner did not vaccinate the cat in the first case involving a pet cat from Tabuan Dayak, Lorong 10.

“The second case involved a stray dog at Taman Suria Jaya, Jalan Matang. This was a bite case.

“Meanwhile, the third case involves an unvaccinated pet dog from Jalan Pending. So, there are three cases,” Wee said during his 194th ShallWeeTalk livestream yesterday (Dec 16).

He said the Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) reported 18 human rabies cases in Sarawak this year between Jan 1 and Dec 13.

The mayor also stated that another person died from rabies this week, bringing the total to 16 deaths in Sarawak’s 18 cases of human rabies this year.

“Since 2017, there have been a total of 73 cases of human rabies in Sarawak. Last week, there were a total of 65 deaths; this week, there was one death, bringing the total to 66 deaths,” he said.

Wee also reminded the public that rabies is a disease that affects both dogs and cats.

“So I hope everyone understands that if you love pets, you must protect them. You have a responsibility to safeguard them if you love them, and keep in mind that if your pet is at home, the person they will bite is you.

“So, while I hope that none of these things happen to anyone, I believe it’s your responsibility to vaccinate your pet against rabies.

“We are also trying to address the issue of stray dogs,” he added. — DayakDaily