Dept to ensure Sabah is free from rabies
Published on: Thursday, December 20, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is still free from rabies although many areas in neighbouring Sarawak and West Kalimantan have been infected by the deadly disease.Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sabah Director Dr Peter Lee (pic) said the State has been free from rabies since 1981 and the department is determined to maintain it.
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He said since the outbreak of the disease in Sarawak on July 1 last year, 16 people have been infected, with 15 deaths recorded, and the latest case was last Dec 10."However, the people in Sabah need not worry as the department has and is taking all the necessary measures to ensure the State will continue to be free from the disease," he added.He said the department strictly controls the entry of dogs and cats while such animals from Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia are banned from being brought into Sabah."For dogs and cats from the peninsula, it is mandatory for them to undergo vaccination at least six months before they are allowed to be brought into the State.
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"Those that did not take the 'Rabies Neutralisation Antibody Test' (RNAT) will be quarantined for two months, while those that took the test will be quarantined for two weeks," he added.He said the department would also create a buffer zone for Sabah covering 30 kilometres from the border between Sabah and Sarawak, and Sabah and Kalimantan.
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"The buffer zone will enhance the herd immunity among dogs that have owners to prevent the spread of the disease."We also target to have 50 DVS personnel and officers to carry out anti-rabies vaccinations at the buffer zone to prevent stray dogs from being infected by rabies."We have received 10,000 vaccines and microchips for the dogs from the Federal Department of Veterinary Services."A funding of RM500,000 will be spent for this in January next year, including giving anti-rabies vaccination to our 50 staff who will be equipped with proper gear against aggressive dogs." According to Dr Peter, the vaccination campaign would begin at the buffer zone of Pegalongan (Keningau), Pulau Sebatik (Tawau), Long Pasia (Sipitang), new border at Manggaris-Kalabakan and other areas that will be identified later.He said the department would also monitor the movement of dogs and cats in and out of the buffer zone and action would be against those found violating the terms and conditions of the Animal Enactment 2015."In fact, we detected three attempts to smuggle six dogs, including a pregnant dog, from Sarawak into Sabah at Kota Kinabalu, Tenom and Tuaran early this year."Action under the Animal Enactment 2015 was taken against three people involved in the cases."The dogs were quarantined and fortunately all tested negative for rabies," he said.Dr Peter also called on the public not to buy dogs from Sarawak, including high-breed ones, being offered for sale by smugglers at a cheap price."With the mortality rate and spread of the disease becoming more worrying, it is important for the public to play their part in preventing the spread of the disease."Your life and the lives of the people in Sabah are precious. Don't be tempted into buying those dogs from Sarawak just because the price is cheap. "Once a dog is bitten by a dog that has rabies, the spread could be fast and a lot of tasks have to be carried out to ensure the deadly virus is not infecting other dogs and humans," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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