He said the health ministry was informed that there had been an active outbreak of rabies in Kalimantan. However, no figures were provided on the number of cases reported there.
Subramaniam said it was not an unusual occurrence, adding that it had happened before where a stray dog with the rabies infection had crossed over the Thailand border into Perlis, spreading the infection.
“If humans can cross through our forest, I’m sure a dog can too,” Subramaniam said at a press conference here today.
He said his ministry is currently helping identify the symptoms of rabies among those who have been bitten by dogs.
Subramaniam said 11 active case detection (ACD) teams are on the ground to provide health education related to rabies as well as information on preventive measures to the residents of villages in the area.
“They have visited 19 villages and covered 2,098 doors/houses and checked 6,094 people so far,” he said.
The 68 people reported to have suffered dog bites in the area since April 1 this year will be given the vaccine and monitored as rabies symptoms take some time to surface.
“We have sufficient amounts of vaccine to manage the outbreak, for both the people and animals.
“We are giving vaccinations to those bitten in the perimeter of 10 kilometres from where there have been confirmed cases of rabies,” Subramaniam said.
He added that the veterinary department has also been conducting checks on dogs in the surrounding areas, both strays and pets.
Subramaniam said pet dogs may be given priority for vaccination as they are in constant contact with humans. He added that the decision on how strays would be vaccinated will be left to the veterinary department.
He advised people to take precautions and get their pets vaccinated with the anti-rabies vaccine.
It was reported today that two of three rabies-infected children in Sarawak had died. The third victim, a seven-year-old girl, has been categorised as critically ill and is still in the intensive care unit being ventilated.