LAWAS bazaar, in Sarawak’s most northern district, has been declared a rabies-infected zone today.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah, who is also state disaster management committee chairman, declared the bazaar the state’s 71st rabies-infected area after two rabid dogs were detected there.

Lawas, hemmed by Sabah to the north and Brunei to the south, and with a strict pet import restrictions, has been long been considered “shielded” from the infection that has ravaged elsewhere in the state and claimed 31 lives since the outbreak was declared in the state on July 1, 2017.

To date, there are seven infected areas in Kuching division; four in Samarahan; Serian, the epicentre of the outbreak, (22); Sri Aman and Mukah (six each); Sarikei and Bintulu (five each); Betong and Sibu (three each); Kapit (one); Miri (seven); and Limbang (two).

An infected locality normally is an area within a 10km radius from where the infected animal is discovered.

Uggah said to date, 205,898 pets have been vaccinated by the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department against rabies.

He reminded people to get their pets vaccinated against the infection, failing which they could be prosecuted for flouting section 40 of the state’s Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

They would not only face a maximum fine of RM2,500 but their pets would also be seized and disposed of. – June 11, 2021.