Social activist calls for urgent, coordinated action against rabies in Sarawak

KUCHING (March 23): Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has called for urgent, coordinated action to stop the spread of rabies in Sarawak.

She pointed out that rabies has claimed three lives in Sarawak so far this year, a figure she said warrants urgent attention.

“Rabies is not a new threat in Sarawak. It is a known, preventable and controllable disease—yet it continues to claim lives and put communities in fear.

“Every rabies death is a failure of system, coordination and political will,” she said in a statement on Sunday.

Voon stressed that Sarawak needs a firm, sustained and science-based system to stop the spread of rabies and protect the community.

She noted that the government has been conducting comprehensive mass vaccination campaigns, aiming to ensure at least 70 per cent of the dog population statewide is vaccinated.

However, she said this measure seemed to have failed to free Sarawak from rabies.

“Rabies is spreading again—not only among dogs, but cats are infected too. If such spread is left unchecked, more lives will be at risk.

“The public would like to know if there are new measures to be taken by the government to fight rabies before more dogs and cats are infected,” she said.

Voon opined that the vaccination programme must be reviewed to enhance its effectiveness in stopping the spread of rabies across the state.

She cautioned that indiscriminate culling of strays is only a temporary and ineffective measure that disrupts long-term control.

She suggested that Sarawak consider investing in Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release (TNVR) programmes, combined with proper identification of vaccinated animals.

Equally important, she said, is a robust surveillance and rapid response system.

“Every animal bite and suspected rabies case must be reported, tracked and acted upon immediately. Delays cost lives. Response teams must be empowered to act within 24 hours to contain outbreaks.

“Access to life-saving post-exposure treatment is also critical. Anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin must be readily available in all hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas,” she emphasised.

She added that public awareness must be intensified, with communities, schools and rural populations educated on the risks, prevention methods and urgency of treatment.

Voon also called for stricter enforcement of responsible pet ownership, stressing that dogs must not be allowed to roam in the neighbourhoods and public places like coffeeshops and markets.

“Mandatory vaccination and control of dogs must not be optional,” she said.

She urged the Ministry of Health, Department of Veterinary Services, local authorities and community organisations to operate as one coordinated system.

Noting that Sarawak has the resources and capacity to eliminate rabies, she said: “What is needed now is decisive leadership, sustained funding and uncompromising implementation.”

Last Saturday, the state Health Department confirmed that a 10-year-old boy from Kuching died of rabies, bringing the total rabies fatalities in Sarawak to three.