Dr Adrian speaks during the conference. – Photo by Roystein Emmor

KUCHING (Sept 29): The proportion of animal samples testing positive for rabies in Sarawak has fallen by 92 per cent, from 42 per cent in 2018 to 3.2 per cent this year, said State Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He attributed the decline to sustained mass vaccination and other strategic interventions to control the disease.

“Although the figure may appear small compared to the overall animal population in Sarawak, every case is a serious reminder that the risk remains,” he said during the Rabies in Asia 2026 conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

His speech was read by Sarawak Veterinary Services Department director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.

As of August, 28 animal rabies cases had been confirmed, involving 25 dogs and three cats, while four human rabies cases had been recorded, all of which resulted in death.

Dr Rundi said the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department would continue anti-rabies vaccination, particularly in high-risk areas, while strengthening surveillance and laboratory testing to ensure suspected cases were identified and acted upon promptly.

He said oral rabies vaccination was also being used for free-roaming dogs and animals that were difficult to capture for conventional vaccination.

The Sarawak government was also continuing to work with local authorities and relevant agencies on animal population management, licensing and microchipping.

Dr Rundi stressed that pet owners had an important role to play by ensuring their dogs and cats were vaccinated, properly managed and not allowed to roam freely.

He said public awareness efforts were also being strengthened, particularly in rural and high-risk areas, to encourage victims of animal bites to seek immediate medical treatment.

“Rabies cannot be tackled by one department alone. It requires cooperation between veterinary services, public health authorities, local councils, enforcement agencies, communities and animal owners,” he said.

He said the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health, was crucial to rabies control, while cross-border cooperation was also necessary given the movement of people and animals between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Dr Rundi said Sarawak would continue strengthening vaccination, surveillance, enforcement and public awareness efforts towards achieving rabies-free status by 2030.

“Government efforts alone are not enough. The cooperation of communities and pet owners is equally important.

“Every vaccinated dog, every suspected case reported early and every individual who seeks prompt treatment contributes to efforts to control the disease,” he said.

The Rabies in Asia 2026 conference brings together experts and participants from Malaysia, Australia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, India, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and the Philippines.