SIBU: The Asia-Pacific Conference on Zoonotic and Neglected Tropical Disease 2023 is timely and relevant to the state in its effort for treating and combating zoonotic diseases.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is still facing the threat of rabies, and many other zoonotic diseases like monkey malaria and leptospirosis.
“The total number of human rabies cases in Sarawak is 72 with 65 (90.3%) deaths since 2017. I sincerely hope this number will not increase in the near future.
“The huge number of animal bites recorded daily is also alarming. From 2017 till today, there are 88,606 animal bites recorded by health facilities,” he said.
He added not all of the bite cases are by rabid animals, but the high number is still a concern.
“Hence, this conference is timely and relevant for Sarawak,” he said in his text of speech read by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang at the opening ceremony of Asia-Pacific Conference on Zoonotic and Neglected Tropical Disease 2023 in Kingwood Hotel on Wednesday.
Abang Johari noted that for doctors in Sarawak, these diseases are encountered in their daily work and they have real-life experience in treating and combatting these diseases.
“By sharing this experience and learning from experts from other countries, I am sure it will enhance the control and treatment of these diseases,” he pointed out.
The conference which is being attended by over 400 experts from various countries will discuss and present findings on the diseases, hence generating new knowledge, greater awareness and new collaborations and networking.
“I am sure it will bring immediate benefits to health in Sarawak and in the long term, will develop Sarawak as the regional centre of knowledge and teaching for zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases,” Abang Johari said.
He also assured that Sarawak government was committed in its plan to build the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC).
“This research facility will have a world class BSL3 laboratory, which will greatly enhance research into infectious diseases,” Abang Johari said.
