BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS and AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
KUCHING: It is crucial to continue stepping up awareness on rabies prevention, vaccination, and control measures, as well as finding effective strategies and solutions to eradicate rabies in Sarawak.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stressed this following an increase in the number of humans affected by the problem.
“The state government is very much committed to this goal, with fund allocations for manpower, logistics, and resources that are much needed to combat this disease.
“Part of our action plan is also targeted towards maintaining collaboration and communication with our bordering neighbours in Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia, to monitor border control and migration in Sarawak,” he said.
He added that councils in Sarawak must continue to play their roles in making sure that dogs are licensed and vaccinated.
“The public is reminded to be a responsible pet owners at all times, ensuring their pets get the anti rabies vaccination yearly.
“They are also advised to apply for permits for any inter-division movement of dogs,” he said during a press conference on the upcoming Rabies in Borneo 2023 (RIB) conference here on Tuesday (May 16).
Department of Veterinary Services director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said having a conference such as RIB is one of the steps towards the goal of eradicating rabies.
“For the inaugural RIB, we are focussing on two approaches of rabies prevention, the scientific (medical and veterinary) method and community participation,” he said.
He added that in Sarawak, they have had success in ensuring the rabies outbreak is under control through awareness, surveillance of affected areas, prevention measures and especially anti-rabies vaccination programmes.
“Research shows that mass vaccination campaigns have been the most effective measure for controlling rabies.
“This year, we will be organising many of these campaigns throughout Sarawak,” he said.
Co-organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, and supported by Business Event Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference will be held on October 31 to November 1 here.
The event aims to bring together local and international experts, as well as engage with communities affected by rabies, in a collective effort to combat and eliminate rabies in Sarawak.
Also present during the press conference was Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and chief executive officer of Place Borneo Mona Abdul Manap.
