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Rabies still a concern in Sarawak, six deaths reported this year

Hamzah Osman

PICS BY NSTP/HAMZAH OSMAN

LANGKAWI: Rabies remains a concern in the country, with six deaths from the disease reported in Sarawak this year, Veterinary Services Department director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said.

As such, Dr Akma urged all dog owners to ensure their pets receive anti-rabies jabs to curb the spread of the zoonotic disease.

."Rabies, caused by Lyssavirus infection from animals, is still occurring in Sarawak. This year alone, six human deaths have been reported due to rabies.

"Since the first rabies case was reported in Sarawak in July 2017, a total of 81 human cases have been recorded, resulting in 74 deaths.

"However, in Kedah, the last rabies case occurred in 2018 in the Kubang Pasu district. Thankfully, the situation is under control," she said in his speech at the state-level Animal Welfare Day & World Rabies Day event here today.

The event was opened by State Agriculture, Plantation, and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani.

In his speech, Dzowahir assured the state government's ongoing commitment to combating the spread of the rabies virus in the region.

"In this regard, Langkawi, due to its proximity to neighbouring countries, has been identified as a high-risk area compared to other districts, as rabies cases are still being reported in those countries (Thailand)," he said.

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