By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 19: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-Ficord) has successfully wiped out Africa Swine Fever (ASF) in Sarawak but its fight against rabies continues, following 75 registered fatalities since 2017.
Its Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom credited the eradication of ASF to effective control measures taken by Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), where no new cases have been registered.
Meanwhile, regarding rabies, he said since the rabies outbreak was declared in 2017, there have been 75 human deaths reported among 82 rabies cases, including seven fatalities this year.
As of Nov 7 this year, 114 out of 822 animal samples tested positive for rabies, with cases identified in Kuching (74), Serian (6), Sri Aman (4), Samarahan (8), Kapit (4), Mukah (4) dan Bintulu (14).
“Sarawak continues to carry out various programmes such as the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference held in October this year.
“More than 300 participants from Australia, Brunei Darusallam, Kalimantan and Sabah gathered with the objective to eradicate rabies in Borneo Island by 2030,” said Dr Rundi while delivery his ministerial address at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
In response to the high number of rabies-positive dogs in Kuching, he said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had initiated an Integrated Rabies Operation in the city, focusing on areas with the highest incidence of human rabies cases.
The operation aims to conduct house-to-house checks for compliance with dog licensing laws, rabies vaccinations, and the targeted removal of stray dogs.
Dr Rundi (GPS-PBB), who is Kemena assemblyman, said the operation involved the participation of agencies such as the Sarawak State Health Department, the Department of Veterinary and Services Sarawak, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit, and local councils, along with relevant non-governmental organisations.
He reported that as of October 2024, a total of 13,757 dogs were vaccinated while mass vaccination will continue.
At the same time, the establishment of Veterinary Mobile Team (VMT) will accelerate the vaccination coverage to at least 50,000 dogs yearly.
“We would like Sarawak government to approve the additional 134 posts that was requested for this establishment.
“We would like to appeal to all members in this august House and other relevant agencies especially local councils to give full support in combating this deadly disease,” concluded Dr Rundi. — DayakDaily
