KUCHING: With the death toll at 72 and no end in sight to Sarawak's rabies outbreak since 2017, health authorities are now roping in grassroots leaders to fight the fatal disease.
In a community engagement programme here from Friday to yesterday, 60 local authority officers from all over the state and 60 community leaders from the Kuching Division were briefed on the powers vested on them by the state government to control the outbreak, particularly in enforcement and community mobilisation.
Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah said the key focus was on providing knowledge and first-aid in managing animal bites, besides the role of the community in preventing and controlling the spread of rabies.
She said government agencies were also sharing their experiences on how they were managing the outbreak.
The rabies outbreak in Sarawak started when two siblings from a village just metres from the Sarawak-Kalimantan border were bitten by a rabid dog that reportedly came in from the opposite side. They both later died from the disease.
Since the outbreak was declared in July 2017, there had been 79 cases reported in humans, with 72 fatalities. Among the four cases detected this year, three were from the Kuching district, keeping the Kuching Division firmly entrenched as a "rabies-infected" area.
Dr Veronica also said the public has an important role to play in efforts to eradicate the outbreak.
As rabies is primarily spread through the saliva of infected animals, often via bites, she said pet owners should ensure that all their pet dogs and cats receive their rabies vaccinations every year.
To avoid their pets from getting infected by strays, she said pet owners should not let their animals roam unsupervised.
"Never pick up stray dogs or cats whose health or vaccination status is unknown."
She said if they were bitten or scratched by an animal, they should wash the wound under running water and soap for at least 15 minutes and seek treatment at the nearest clinic.
"Immediately seek treatment at any health facility after being bitten or scratched, including by your own pets, dogs and cats.
"Rabies vaccines are available at 254 public health facilities and at least 29 private facilities across Sarawak," she said.
Prompt and appropriate medical care after exposure is crucial in preventing the onset of symptoms and death.
To avoid getting infected, Dr Veronica also warned people not to handle wild animals, including stray dogs and cats, whether alive or dead.
She said they should instead report these animals to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVSS) or the nearest local council office for further action.
The engagement programme was jointly organised by the Health Ministry and the Sarawak Health Department, the Kuching Division Health Office, the Malaysia One Health University Network, the Sarawak DVSS and state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Dr Veronica said she hoped this programme could be extended to other divisions in future.