Sarawak must vaccinate at least 80% of its dog population annually to halt the transmission of rabies, says Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

“Vaccination alone, however, is not enough without public awareness.”

He warned that many still underestimated the risk of rabies transmission from animals other than dogs.

“People often do not realise that rabies not only spreads by dog bites; cats can get rabies too.

“Cats may be scratched or bitten by infected dogs, or even play with infected animals like rats.

“When cats scratch or bite humans, rabies can be transmitted that way as well.

“So, if you have been scratched by a cat, do not ignore it; seek treatment,” advised Dr Sim who is also the state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister.

He was speaking at the opening of the Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Zoonotic and Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sibu, Sarawak.

Rabies, he said, had become part of the endemic disease landscape in Sarawak.

“We have learnt to live with certain endemic diseases, just like we learnt to live with Covid-19.

“Rabies, dengue, malaria –these diseases are now part of our environment.

“Whether we like it or not, they are here to stay...so public awareness is critical,” said Dr Sim.

He stressed that rabies prevention was not the sole responsibility of medical professionals or veterinarians.

“Every member of the public needs to play a role in protecting community health.

“Only through collective effort can we manage and eventually eliminate these diseases.”

Dr Sim said Sarawak had made progress with its rabies control initiatives, including the immune belt programme for the vaccination of dogs along the border regions of the state.

“The immune belt programme has been doing quite well; about 80% of the dogs along the border areas are vaccinated.

“However, in urban areas, the situation is different.

“Even when free vaccinations are offered, many pet owners still do not take up the opportunity,” he said.

He highlighted the World Health Organisation’s target to eliminate rabies by 2030, cautioning that the goal depended on full cooperation from the public.