Subramaniam: Rabies outbreak under control

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 68 dog-bite victims in the rabies affected area have been vaccinated and the epidemic is under control with no new cases reported.
Stating this, Health Minister Datuk Seri S Subramaniam said the rabies, which claimed two lives is believed to have spread by dogs from Kalimantan, Indonesia, which is bordering the Serian district in Sarawak.
"We suspect that these cases came from the areas close to the border. There is an outbreak in Kalimantan.
"So maybe the wild or stray dogs there have been infected and loitered near the borders," he said.
He said all the 68 dog-bite victims will be monitored for a prolonged period as rabies symptoms may manifest much later.
Subramaniam said all the victims are from 19 villages in the Serian district, which has reported three cases recently.
He added that two out of the three children infected died on Tuesday while the third one is critical.
He said the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department is carrying out anti-rabies vaccination on dogs, giving priority to the pets and strays within 10km radius within the area.
It was reported that the state government has declared these areas as infected areas — Kampung Krait, Kam­pung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun and Kampung Lebor.
Dog owners have been urged to bring their dogs to be vaccinated to contain the outbreak.