Rabies outbreak in northern states still under control - Dr Hilmi

The rabies outbreak in Perlis, Kedah and Penang is still under control, according to Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

He said to date, no individual had been infected by the rabies virus, but the ministry was still monitoring the situation.

Dr Hilmi said the people should not be too worried as each hospital in the three affected states had been supplied with the serum, immunoglobulin, as an antibody to fight the rabies virus.

"We have given the vaccine to every hospital in Penang, so all have got it. The vaccine supply is sufficient, so not to worry. We are continuously monitoring (the situation)."

He said this at a news conference after the handing-out of 23 cattle for Raya Haji sacrifice to 20 mosques in the Balik Pulau parliamentary constituency and to selected government agencies, here, today.

Dr Hilmi said the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) needed to take precautionary measures and play an important role in controlling the rabies outbreak.

Asked on a non-governmental organisation overseas wanting to supply the rabies vaccine to Penang, he said although it was a very good move, the foreign NGO should discuss the matter first with the VSD and the state government.

Twelve people, comprising nine in Perlis, two in Penang and one in Kedah have so far been given vaccine after they were bitten by dogs found to be positive for rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and warm-blooded animals.

The disease is caused by the lyssaviruses. It is spread when an infected animal scratches or bites another animal or human, or through the saliva of an infected aninal if the saliva comes into contact with the mouth, nose or eyes.

The last rabies infection in a human recorded in this country was in 1999, and last infection in dogs in 2009. The World Health Organisation had in 2012, declared Malaysia to be free from rabies.

On another matter, Dr Hilmi said 73 per cent of deaths recorded in the government hospitals were caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially those linked to obesity.

He said that among the ASEAN countries, Malaysia had the biggest number of obese persons, followed by Thailand and Singapore.

He noted that 44.3 per cent of Malaysia's population had a Body Mass Index of above 25.

"Malaysians are capable of eating six times a day. We also eat a lot of fatty food and we lack physical exercise.

"Our people's lifestyle has also changed; a lot of sitting down looking at the computer and social media," he said.

Dr Hilmi said the problem of NCDs like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke among Malaysians was serious and worrying, and these could contribute to other serious diseases.

Therefore, he said, Malaysians should change their lifestyle by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

"The ministry is also intensifying its healthy lifestyle promotion campaign. So please, we need to change our lifestyle. At the office, try taking the staircase instead of the lift," he added.