DVSS to pilot oral rabies vaccine in Kuching this month

KUCHING (April 2): The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) will pilot the use of the oral rabies vaccine (ORV) as part of its Integrated Rabies Vaccination Programme across Kuching this month.

According to a press statement, the large-scale initiative aims to strengthen rabies control efforts and expand vaccination reach across both owned and free-roaming dog populations.

It said that since the current rabies outbreak was declared in Sarawak in July 2017, the state has recorded 87 human rabies cases with 80 fatalities, with Kuching among the highest-burden districts.

In 2025 alone, four human rabies cases were reported in Kuching, while veterinary surveillance continues to detect positive animal cases, highlighting the ongoing risk and the need for sustained vaccination efforts.

The April campaign will focus on identified hotspot and high-risk areas, targeting between 6,000 and 8,000 dogs through injection-based vaccination and ORV distribution.

The programme brings together DVSS, Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBET), Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS), Mission Rabies and other partners in a coordinated field operation.

Multiple vaccination teams will be deployed daily, with each team aiming to vaccinate up to 40 dogs per day through door-to-door visits and designated vaccination stations.

This structured approach ensures wider coverage and supports Sarawak’s long-term rabies elimination goals.

Field personnel will undergo specialised training in bait handling, safety protocols, and deployment methods to ensure responsible and controlled implementation.

A dedicated ORV Study on Duration of Immunity (DOI) will also be conducted by SIDC, DVSS and SSPCA to assess the effectiveness of oral vaccination among dog populations.

DVSS director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said the integrated campaign marks an important step forward in the state’s rabies elimination strategy.

“Sustained vaccination is key to breaking the transmission cycle. This integrated approach allows us to reach more dogs — especially free-roaming animals that are traditionally harder to access. The cooperation of our communities will be crucial to the programme’s success,” he said in the statement.

SSPCA president Datin Sri Dona Drury Wee emphasised the importance of collective responsibility.

“Ending rabies requires all of us — government agencies, veterinarians, NGOs, and the public — to work hand in hand. We urge pet owners to come forward, support the teams on the ground, and ensure their dogs are protected. Together, we can keep Sarawak safe,” she added.

DVSS will announce detailed schedules and target locations in the coming weeks. The public is encouraged to follow official updates and cooperate fully when vaccination teams are active in their area.

Updates can be found at www.facebook.com/SarawakSPCA/ .