SARAWAK’s fight on rabies is far from over, with Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Stephen Rundi telling the state assembly the Veterinary Services Department has received an average of 250 animal bite notifications every month.

He said the toll on human lives has been devastating with 59 deaths out of the 66 human rabies cases since the rabies outbreak was declared in the state on July 1, 2017.

Rundi said this year alone, there were nine deaths from 11 human rabies cases.

The deaths, he said, were due to victims not seeking treatment promptly or at all.

He told the assembly 300 victims bitten by rabid dogs survived the attacks in the six years the state has been battling the zoonotic disease.

“We still continue to face challenges,” Rundi said.

Padawan, on the outskirts of Kuching, has the highest number of animal rabies cases this year.

Rundi said the area recorded 17 of the state’s 42 cases, with areas within Kuching city only claiming 10. All the animals were dogs.

“All positive animal sampling cases this year are within previously declared rabies-infected areas,” Rundi said. 

Since 2017, 72 areas in Sarawak have been declared rabies-infected areas – with 22 localities in Serian, followed by Miri (8), Kuching (7), Sri Aman (6), Mukah (6), Sarikei (5), Bintulu (5), Samarahan (4), Betong (3), Sibu (3), Limbang (2), and Kapit (1).

“It is crucial to constantly elevate awareness on rabies prevention, vaccination, and control measures, as well as find effective strategies and solutions to eradicate rabies in Sarawak.

“The state government is very much committed to this goal, with funds allocated for manpower, logistics and resources that are much needed to combat this disease.”

He said part of the state’s plan is aimed at maintaining collaboration and communication with Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia to monitor border control and animal migration.

He said on the Sarawak side of the border with the three states, more than 17,000 dogs in 978 villages had been vaccinated by the Immune Belt Enforcement Team since the body was formed on September 26 last year. – May 27, 2023.