Premier: S’wak averaging 360 animal bite cases weekly, over 55 pct caused by cats

KUCHING (Sept 30): Sarawak needs to urgently act to battle rabies as 12,587 animal bite cases were reported from January to August this year – an average of 360 cases weekly, said the Premier.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said six new human rabies cases have been reported in Sarawak in 2024.

He pointed out that 55.34 per cent (6,966 cases) of animal bites were caused by cats, while dogs accounted for 43.3 per cent (5,451 cases) and the remaining 1.35 per cent (170 cases) involved bites from other animals.

A significant 69.14 per cent (8,703 cases) of bites were caused by pets, while 30.86 per cent (3,884 cases) involved wild or stray animals.

Highlighting the severity of rabies as a fatal yet preventable disease, Abang Johari stressed the importance of vaccination.

He said the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2024 conference will serve as a platform for sharing the latest control and prevention strategies.

“Through the forum, it is an opportunity for us to come together, learn, and share our knowledge and experiences,” he said in a speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the conference’s launch today.

He acknowledged that dogs are the primary carriers of rabies in Sarawak, thus the focus of the state’s rabies prevention initiatives include mass dog vaccination, licensing, microchipping, dog population control, awareness campaigns, surveillance, and disease monitoring.

He pointed out the key player in these efforts is the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET), established by the state government under the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) to prevent rabies from spreading across the 1,032km Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

“IBET has actively monitored the movement of rabid dogs, conducted disease surveillance, and vaccinated 21,860 dogs, achieving 89 per cent herd immunity within the immune belt zone in 2023.

“Overall, 36,900 dogs have been vaccinated across Sarawak by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) and IBET, moving closer to the target of 50,000 by year-end,” he said.

With rabies cases rising, Abang Johari reminded the public to take precautions and seek medical attention if bitten by an animal.

He urged dog owners to be responsible by ensuring their pets are neutered and vaccinated, as mandated under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 (VPHO) while non-compliance could result in fines of up to RM1,000.

He also warned dog owners who let their dogs roam freely could face fines of up to RM2,500 under Section 37 of the VPHO.

“Additionally, dog owners must keep their pets under effective control and obtain licences from local councils, or they may face fines of up to RM5,000 under the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws, 2018,” he said.

Abang Johari also commended the collaboration of various agencies, including the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS); the Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government; UKPS; Health Department; and Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for fighting rabies and protecting the community.

He added the Sarawak government is working with other countries in the region to combat rabies and encouraged all stakeholders to collaborate in controlling and eliminating the disease.

“We need to work together to educate the public, monitor, and stay one step ahead of this disease. I am however confident that through collective efforts and knowledge-sharing, Sarawak can achieve the goal of becoming rabies-free by 2030,” he said.

Among those present were Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and DVSS director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.