Rabies infection in S’wak still at alarming rate — Minister

The rabies situation in Sarawak is still concerning due to unsatisfactory level of vaccination activities for dogs being carried out, says Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

Nonetheless, the Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak also observes that the vaccination activities along the Kalimantan-Sarawak border have been carried out well by the Sarawak Immune Belt Enforcement Team, achieving a 96 per cent vaccination rate.

“However, the problem occurs in the urban areas and I hope local councils would provide the appropriate cooperation.

“Dog owners themselves must also provide their cooperation to ensure the vaccination of their dogs,” he said during a press conference held after witnessing the handover of the Rural Growth Centre (RGC) Padawan to the Greater Kuching Development Coordination Agency (GKDCA) at the Padawan Sub-District Office here yesterday, where Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud was also present.

Adding on, Dr Rundi reiterated his pledge of ‘going house to house’ to ensure that both owned and stray dogs would receive vaccination.

“I have stated before that I would go house to house to ensure the dogs are vaccinated. If they haven’t been vaccinated, we will impose fines on them (owners),” he said, while stressing the importance of vaccination is necessary, adding: “Rabies infection not only affects the dogs, but poses a threat to humans.”

Meanwhile, Dr Adrian said on African Swine Fever (ASF), there had been no reported cases in Sarawak so far.

“So far, the virus is no longer detected in Sarawak. Farmers and even those in the villages are beginning to farm pigs.

“Our department will do what it can to support the industry so things can return to normalcy, much like the time before the outbreak.

“As we are currently exporting about 2,000 pigs to Singapore per month, I hope we could be the net exporter by 2030,” he added.