Labuan health authorities ready for any rabies outbreak

LABUAN: The Labuan health authorities are fully prepared to face any rabies outbreak on the island, with the close cooperation of the relevant government agencies.
Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari said the government clinics and hospitals were also fully equipped with the necessary facilities, including the vaccine.
"Our medical personnel in the government clinics and hospitals have undergone simulation training on rabies in the event there is an outbreak here," he told a press conference after the One Health Field Simulation Training on Rabies for Northern Borneo here today.
He said the department's surveillance unit to detect the spread of any disease had long been set up for the smooth data collection exercise.
Labuan Department of Veterinary Services director Dr Elizabeth Edward Juan confirmed the island was free from rabies outbreak, but monitoring efforts to check on its spread continued.
Labuan Corporation advisory council chairman Datuk Bashir Alias said the operation to catch stray dogs in villages and residential areas had begun with help from the public. — Bernama