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Sarawak rabies outbreak declared 'Stage 2 Disaster'

KUCHING: The rabies outbreak in Sarawak which began in July 2017 has been declared a ‘Stage 2 Disaster’.

The declaration allows all government agencies to pool their resources and work together to contain the disease, which has so far spread to 61 areas across the state and killed 16 of 17 infected human victims.

State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the decision to call for the declaration was made during a state government meeting at Wisma Bapa, yesterday.

“Positive cases of rabies have been reported throughout Sarawak, with the exception of Limbang division.

“(By declaring a Stage 2 Disaster), the management and handling of the outbreak can be coordinated, with the use of resources at the state level, and with assistance from the central level,” he said.

Uggah added that JPBN is mobilising the disaster management machinery at the state level to ensure that all action is implemented properly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Health Ministry (KKM) plans to open 15 more Dog Bite Clinics in the state by June this year, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.

He said that there are currently 10 such clinics in operation in Sarawak.

Dr Lee also revealed that the federal government has spent more than RM2 million for the vaccination of dogs in the state.

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