Malaysia In Rabies Shock After Almost 20 Years

By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), July 26 (Bernama) -- After almost 20 years the last case of rabies or mad dog infection on humans was recorded in the country, the outbreak of the disease in Sarawak has indeed came as a shock to all Malaysians, especially those in the state. Early this month, the Health Ministry announced that three cases of rabies infection on humans were detected in Serian district, about 25 km from the border of Indonesia. Twenty-four days later, five people died from the disease. Bernama’s investigation found that residents in Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu and Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu Bakung in Serian district had already seen drastic changes in the behaviour of stray and domestic dogs in the areas since early May. The canines were said to have been behaving strangely and aggressively as they would walk aimlessly in circle in the village and bit anything including the villagers, banana and tapioca trees, or even sugarcane, while at the same time, foaming at the mouth. Several local villagers believed these dogs were sick and resorted to culling the canines to prevent the the situation from getting worst. “These dogs look exactly like zombies, I hit one and it fell down for two or three minutes, but then it stood up again and began attacking me, we have to hit them at the right spot to kill these animals,” Herman Linus, a mechanic in the village told Bernama. A resident of Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu, who wanted to be identified only as Jonathan, said the villagers became aware of the ‘strange’ situation somewhere in early May when their pet dogs would bark at night as if there were intruders. “Dogs from other places had entered the village, that is why the villagers’ pet dogs were barking incessantly,” he said. Jonathan said efforts were taken by the villagers to kill those dogs, and those who were bitten had immediately sought medical treatment at nearby clinics or hospitals, but none of the incidents were reported to the relevant authorities. Rabies is a disease caused by rabies virus that attacks the central nervous system of mammals and its could be transmitted viaa contact on human skin exposed to saliva, fluid or tissue of rabid animals. On July 1, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah confirmed that three children, two of whom were siblings, in Serian district had died of rabies and it sent shock waves throughout the country. This was because Sarawak had been declared rabies free despite its close proximity to Kalimantan, which is a rabies outbreak area. Following the announcement, Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas swung into action with daily monitoring of the outbreak. As at early this week, 20 areas in Serian, Kuching and Tebedu districts were declared as rabies outbreak sites with the launching of an anti-rabies vaccination campaign in which 17,844 domestic animals comprising 10,204 dogs and 7,595 cats, as well as other pet mammals were vaccinated in the district. After getting bitten by a rabid animal, the victims may not immediately show any symptom of rabies as the virus has to undergo an incubation period of between 10 days to six months, but the victims are advised to clean the wound with soap and water for about 15 minutes before seeking anti-rabies shots without any delay. Initial symptoms of the infection are fever, pain, headache, muscle aches, and nausea, but when the virus has attacked the central nervous system, the patient will experience insomnia, confusion and hallucination and becomes more aggressive. At a serious stage, the patient will become hydrophobia (fear of water) and sometimes aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air) as the affected muscles would not be able to function properly. Meanwhile, acting director of Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dr Adrian Susin Ambud told Bernama that the areas declared as outbreak sites would also act as a buffer zone to prevent the spread of the disease among dogs. “For example, if a rabid dog in Serian entered the buffer zone and bit a pet dog, the risk of infection is reduced as we have already vaccinated all pet dogs in the buffer zone,” he said, adding that several district councils had also rounded up stray dogs in the outbreak areas. Dr Adrian said the centralised vaccination of pet dogs and cats had received commendations from various parties as it was deemed successful in curbing the disease. Sarawak DVS senior veterinary assistant officer, Ahtien Ijon, on the other hand, said that dogs and cats in the outbreak areas could not be brought out of the location after the declaration. “Those who violate the ruling could face a compound fine of US$1,167 (RM5,000) or three months in jail,” he said. (picture) Veterinary Department officials conduct vaccinations against dog owners around here Tuesday. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA