SIBU: The number of dog bites here that are not reported is worrisome.

Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee expressed this concern during a press conference after chairing the fourth Sibu Rabies Control Committee meeting here yesterday.

“The number of dog bites in Sibu is under reported. This means the persons bitten by dogs did not go to the hospital to seek treatment. We are very worried about this trend,” he said.

Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister for Education and Technological Research, recalled the last (fatal) case in Kuching last year when the person did not seek medical treatment at the hospital.

“The person went to the clinic but did not go to the hospital. While at the clinic, he only complained of backache and leg pain and failed to report that he was bitten by a dog,” said Ministry of Local Government and Housing’s Head of Public Health Dr Cheong Yaw Liang.

Dr Annuar stressed that it was vital for those bitten by dogs, even if it’s their own pets to go to the hospital.

He also highlighted that strays and roaming dogs pose higher risk of the deadly rabies. Strays, he explained do not have owners, while roaming dogs have owners.