JOHOR BARU: Dog and cat owners in Sarawak must make sure that their pets have received vaccination against rabies, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
The Deputy Health Minister said the ministry was concerned over the high number of rabies cases reported in Sarawak compared to other states.
“The current rabies situation in Sarawak is quite worrying where it can be called an epidemic. Since 2020, there have been 75 cases recorded.
“So far this year, there have been 17 new cases with 15 deaths recorded, so it is critical,” he said, adding that the rabies situation in the peninsula was much more under control as there were only three cases recorded in Selangor within the past three years.
Lukanisman said this in a press conference after launching the Health Ministry’s national sports carnival held at Mount Austin stadium here on Thursday (Oct 26).
He added that preventive measures have been carried out by the Sarawak government, including through the Veterinary Department, which runs a vaccination programme for pets.
"It is understood that the department, in collaboration with local authorities there, has opened a counter where pet owners can come and register their animals to get injections.
"As for stray animals, vaccination injections will be made when the authorities receive a complaint. This is important because stray dogs move in groups and often enter residential areas.
"We are worried that they will attack and bite humans, especially the elderly and children, so rabies prevention efforts need to be done regularly," he said.
