KUCHING: Efforts to combat rabies in Sarawak continue to show positive results, with about 5,500 dogs vaccinated within two weeks through parenteral and Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) programmes.
The vaccinations were carried out through coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies and strategic partners across the state.
President of the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) Datin Seri Dona Drury Wee said the achievement was the result of nearly two years of careful planning, strategic coordination, and sustained commitment since the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2024.
She noted that the success was also driven by the comprehensive involvement of various parties, including veterinary teams, field personnel, and behind-the-scenes technical support covering logistics, training, data management, and community engagement.
“This holistic approach has enabled us not only to reach owned pets, but also stray and free-roaming dogs, effectively closing critical gaps in the fight against rabies,” she was quoted as saying in an UKAS report.
Meanwhile, she urged pet owners to be more responsible by ensuring their animals are vaccinated, stressing that such measures not only protect the animals but also safeguard families and the wider community.
“There is no excuse for inaction. Vaccination is a shared responsibility in ensuring public well-being is preserved,” she emphasised.
Elaborating further, she said rabies eradication efforts go beyond vaccination alone, involving field studies to identify dog and cat populations as well as the level of public awareness of the programmes carried out.
She explained that such findings are crucial in helping the government formulate policies and strengthen more effective and sustainable intervention strategies in the future.
In efforts to enhance knowledge-sharing and best practices, the public is also invited to participate in the Rabies in Asia Conference, which will be held alongside the Rabies in Borneo programme from September 29 to October 1 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
The conference is jointly organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) as a platform for global expertise exchange and the exploration of new approaches in tackling rabies.
Dona also stressed that eliminating rabies requires collective commitment from all parties, including the government, organisations, civil society and local communities.
She also expressed appreciation to the DVS, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre, and the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), as well as international partners such as World Veterinary Service, Mission Rabies and Ceva Santé Animale for their technical expertise and training support.
