SARAWAK has established the immune belt enforcement team (Ibet) to combat the spread of rabies more effectively, especially in border areas, according to Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He said Ibet was provided with sophisticated vehicles and equipment to enable them to get to remote locations.

“The situation of rabies in this state is under control, but you cannot take things for granted because it can result in death. We have a relatively large area and our border is more than 1,000km long.

“These dogs can roam everywhere. Therefore, we need to co-operate with the locals or community leaders to identify pet or stray dogs,” he told a press conference at the launch of Ibet in Kuching today.

He also said that every dog identified would be implanted with a chip to track their movements and enable the state government to obtain the data needed.

Abang Johari said with all the preparations and equipment available, Ibet will be able to protect the people of Sarawak from the threat of rabies brought by stray dogs from neighbouring countries, thus becoming a long-term solution.

Ibet is supervised by the state security and enforcement unit (UKPN) with a staff of more than 100 people assigned to monitor 978 villages, farms and control posts throughout the state and its border areas.

UKPN director Dr Chai Khin Chung said that between 2017 and 2022, Sarawak had recorded 45 rabies cases, some of which were fatal.

“Sarawak has witnessed an increase in the number of cases, with 11 cases recorded as of September 2022, compared to 10 cases in 2021,” he said.

He also said that apart from the task of controlling rabies outbreaks, Ibet is also ready for operations involving hand, foot, and mouth disease, African Swine Fever and other animal-borne diseases from time to time. – Bernama, September 26, 2022.