Kuching: A total of 278,840 animals have been vaccinated in Sarawak since the state launched its fight against rabies, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. He noted that so far this year, 10,957 animals had been vaccinated across the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, despite these efforts, challenges remain. The state continues to record a high number of cases, with 34 reported in Kuching, nine in Bintulu, one in Kapit, and one in Kota Samarahan. At the World Rabies Day observance, Dr Sim revealed that laboratory tests conducted on 490 samples detected 45 positive cases, 42 of which involved dogs.

Alarmingly, nearly half of these cases-46 percent-came from owned dogs, while the rest were from strays, including cats. Sarawak also records an average of 380 bite cases weekly. Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, expressed concern over the rising number of rabies cases, stressing that not only dog bites but also cat bites and scratches contribute to infections.

Dr Sim explained that scratches must be taken seriously as rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, and even a minor scratch can pose a risk if the animal’s paws or claws are contaminated. He emphasized the importance of public education, stating, “We need to educate the public that when we refer to a ‘dog bite,’ scratches must also be considered. Rabies can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected dog or cat when it scratches a person.”

According to Dr Sim, rabies continues to pose a serious public health threat in Sarawak, with 85 human cases reported since the outbreak was declared in 2017, and of the total, 78 were fatal. He highlighted that this year alone, two new fatal cases have been recorded, underscoring the urgency of the situation.