Sarawak’s campaign to eliminate rabies has taken on renewed urgency as the state prepares to host the 4th Rabies in Borneo (RIB 2025) Conference, scheduled from 30 September to 1st October at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the conference, co-organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak with support from various state ministries, aims to galvanise cooperation among regional stakeholders and global experts to achieve a rabies-free Borneo.
“This is our fourth conference on rabies. It is not just about raising awareness among the public but also to remind the relevant authorities that we must not give up in our efforts to eradicate rabies,” he said in a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
Dr Rundi also noted that a few days ago, a 13-year-old boy from Kampung Segedup, Kuching, succumbed to the virus after reported exposure to stray cats.
“Rabies has now been detected in the feline population, with two out of 21 cat samples testing positive this year,” he said.
He emphasised that controlling stray animals, especially in rural and semi-urban communities, remains a major hurdle.
Acknowledging resistance from some animal welfare groups, Dr Rundi said: “We must not give up. Even globally, many countries are still struggling to eliminate rabies.”
Meanwhile, according to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 1,021 out of 4,912 animal samples tested since 2017 have been confirmed positive for rabies, representing 23 per cent of all cases.
Notably, 125 of these involved cats, indicating the virus is no longer limited to stray dogs.
In 2025 alone, two out of 21 cat samples tested have returned positive, raising concerns over the wider spread of the disease within the stray animal population.
As for human infections, 84 cases have been recorded to date, resulting in 76 fatalities – a stark reminder of the virus’s deadly nature if left untreated.
Authorities continue to urge the public to seek immediate medical attention after any suspected exposure and to ensure pets are vaccinated and licensed as part of the state’s broader efforts to contain and eliminate rabies.
As of May 23 this year, a total of three new rabies cases have been reported in Kuching, Samarahan and Bintulu.
