By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Sept 30: Sarawak is aiming for zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global target.
This commitment was reinforced during the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2025 conference, held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian on behalf of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
Abang Johari emphasised that achieving this mission requires persistence, innovation, and strong collaboration across all levels of society.
“We must continue large-scale vaccination campaigns, strengthen animal population management, and most critically, intensify public awareness and education.
“Rabies is preventable, but only if every community member understands their role,” he said in his speech delivered by Dr Sim.
New strategies are also being explored, including the deployment of mobile veterinary teams and the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine to build long-term capacity in disease control.
The Premier further emphasised that every pet must be vaccinated and every bite must be reported immediately to health authorities. This ensures that victims receive life-saving post-exposure treatment while enabling authorities to track and contain potential outbreaks effectively.
To support this, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) will require additional personnel to strengthen monitoring efforts and enhance rapid response capabilities.
“Rabies is not just a responsibility of the government or health professionals. It is a shared responsibility and a true test of the One Health approach,” he reminded.
He underscored that prevention requires vigilance from all, including citizens, pet owners, and community members. Even a minor scratch from an infected claw can be as dangerous as a bite, as both dogs and cats can carry the rabies virus. — DayakDaily
