SDMC proposed to spearhead efforts against rising rabies cases

KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is suggested to take the lead in addressing the growing concerns over rabies cases, particularly in residential areas in Kuching.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng proposed that SDMC be the primary coordinating agency, considering its success in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Rabies is not limited to the Kuching area; it may also be occurring in other regions without our knowledge due to separate enforcement or prevention efforts in each area.

“To comprehensively address this, it is better to have a larger agency leading or small agencies joining together, and I propose that SDMC should take the lead in this matter,” he told the media at the MBKS Building here today (Jan 11).

Wee mentioned that he had previously discussed the matter with SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

In the same briefing, he disclosed that Kuching had recorded 12 cases of dog bites by rabid dogs as of this month.

Among these cases, two instances involved eleven individuals bitten by the same rabid dog at Tabuan Desa Indah, and another individual was bitten at Lorong Tabuan Timur, Jalan Tabuan.

He provided details on the victims, stating that the youngest is an 11-year-old boy, and the oldest is 81.

“Now, 11 individuals and their families are facing a horrifying wait over the next few months to see if their treatment has been successful.

“A large proportion of the deaths from rabies so far have been in people who failed to report their dog bites to the authorities.

“We urge everyone to prioritise and take responsibility for their own health. Always seek assessment and treatment, even if you are bitten by your own pet or a known dog or cat,” he stressed.

While the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) oversees the control of the rabies outbreak, Wee stressed that local councils would assist in their actions against rabies in the state.

“Reacting to this crisis is a statewide effort, involving government agencies, non-governmental organisations, veterinary professionals, and other experts.

“We welcome constructive advice from any channels to improve our collective response, and we adapt constantly.

“We even monitor social media and the press for implementable and sensible suggestions,” he stated, noting that MBKS continues to conduct neutering, mass vaccinations, and public education campaigns regularly.

Wee pointed out that MBKS would continue to prioritise public health and welfare, along with ongoing efforts to educate the public about the disease.

“We will continue to apply our powers responsibly, either through culling, vaccinations, or neutering. We will continue to come out and make the hard decisions in the case of an emergency.”