KUCHING: Rabies cases continue to occur in Sarawak due to a high stray animal population and low public awareness of the disease, the state assembly heard on Wednesday (Nov 22).
State Deputy Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Martin Ben said the high number of strays, especially unvaccinated and unneutered dogs, contributed significantly to the spread of rabies.
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"Stray dogs and cats serve as reservoirs for the rabies virus," he told Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) during question time.
He said low awareness of the importance of vaccinating pets, recognising rabies symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention after potential exposure also contributed to the persistence of the virus.
Other factors included unsafe interactions with stray or wild animals, ineffective bite wound management, resistance to control measures and transboundary movement of animals.
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Martin also said rabies eradication was complicated and challenging for the state Health and Veterinary Services Departments.
He said the challenges included low compliance among pet owners, resulting in incomplete coverage despite mass vaccination campaigns.
In some cases, he said, local communities opposed vaccination campaigns due to cultural beliefs, misinformation or concerns about the vaccine's safety.
"Resistance from NGOs to the targeted removal of strays hampered the effort to control unvaccinated animals in the city," he added.
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Martin also said the Veterinary Services Department lacked manpower to carry out mass vaccinations as most of its personnel were involved in other duties such as enforcement, quarantine and livestock development.
"Therefore, inter-agency collaboration is crucial to eradicate this disease," he said.
To another question from Chieng, Martin said the Sibu division recorded 22 rabies cases with 20 fatalities from 2021 to Oct 31 this year.
He also said 27 animal samples tested positive for rabies out of 83 collected in the division during the same period.
