SEREMBAN: The Veterinary Services Department (DV) has successfully vaccinated 13,592 dogs and 165 cats in Sarawak from January to October this year as part of efforts to prevent rabies disease. Dr. Akma Ngah Hamid, the director-general of DV, reported that since 2017, Sarawak has recorded 81 human rabies cases, resulting in 74 deaths. During this period, 1,103 rabies cases were detected among animals, with 88.9 percent involving dogs, 10.9 percent involving cats, and 0.2 percent involving goats.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 6,928 dogs in rabies buffer zones in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah received vaccinations from January to October to enhance immunity and curb rabies infections. Dr. Akma emphasized that there is an adequate supply of vaccines, encouraging pet owners to vaccinate their pets. Awareness among pet owners, especially those near the Thailand border, is reportedly high, with annual rabies vaccinations being the norm.

In his speech, Dr. Akma urged pet owners in rabies-prone areas to vaccina
te their pets annually to safeguard both pets and humans. The year’s World Rabies Day, themed ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries,’ aims to raise public awareness and promote continuous commitment to tackling the rabies threat.

Rabies, a zoonotic disease, can infect animals and humans through bites, scratches, and contact with saliva from infected animals, affecting the nervous system and potentially causing death if untreated. Dr. Akma highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), the Health Ministry, and other organizations in addressing rabies in the country.

He expressed hope that local authorities would implement measures to control stray dog populations as a preventive measure. In conjunction with the World Rabies Day program, activities such as dog performances, cat exhibitions, rabies awareness seminars, and pet shop stalls were organized.