S’wak records two rabies cases involving cats between Jan 6-Jan 10

KUCHING (Jan 11): Sarawak recorded two rabies cases, involving two free roaming pet cats, between Jan 6 and Jan 10 this year, said the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS).

One of the cases occurred at Jalan Akses Stesen Gunung Serapi in Kuching, while the other was recorded at Jalan Klinik Kampung Sambir in Asajaya, it said in a Facebook post today.

According to a fact sheet attached in the Facebook post, rabies is caused by a lyssavirus spread through the saliva of infected animals (dogs and cats) by biting or scratching other mammals and humans.

It pointed out rabies is a serious public health issue in over 150 countries worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa.

“It is the world’s oldest disease and is highly feared, and causes tens of thousands of deaths each year.

“Dog bites and scratches cause 99 per cent of human rabies cases and can be prevented through dog vaccinations and bite prevention,” it added.

It explained once the virus infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in almost 100 per cent of cases.

However, rabies fatalities can be prevented with immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by stopping the virus from reaching the central nervous system.

PEP consists of immediately washing the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and running water, injection of rabies immunoglobulin and administration of four doses of human rabies vaccine.

“Injections are given on the first, third, seventh and 14th day. Victims should go to the hospital immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal to receive treatment as above to prevent rabies.

“The first step, if bitten or scratched by an animal, is to wash the wound to remove saliva that may contain the rabies virus and go straight to the nearest hospital or clinic,” it stated.