Sarawak Enforces New Anti Rabies Vaccination Order

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Sarawak food industry, commodity and regional development minister Stephen Rundi Utom said all dogs in the state were required to undergo anti-rabies vaccination and receive annual boosters. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: A new anti-rabies vaccination order has been enforced in Sarawak, with no end to the fight against the disease since its outbreak in 2017.
Sarawak food industry, commodity and regional development minister Stephen Rundi Utom, who signed the order today under Section 40(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, said all dogs in the state are now required to undergo anti-rabies vaccination and receive annual boosters.
“Dog owners must ensure their pets are vaccinated. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of up to RM2,500,” Bernama quoted him as saying in a statement, adding that unvaccinated dogs exposed to rabies would be euthanised.
Rundi said the divisions of Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Kapit, Mukah and Bintulu have been declared as rabies-infected zones, following the detection of new cases.
He said Sarawak recorded 123 positive cases from 889 animal samples last year, with Kuching leading with 79 cases, followed by Bintulu (16), Samarahan (10) and Serian (six), while Sri Aman, Kapit and Mukah recorded four cases each.
Rundi said between Jan 6 and 19 this year, three rabies-positive cases involving free-roaming pets were reported in Kuching and Samarahan.
He said the Sarawak veterinary services department (DVS), together with the immune belt enforcement team, has intensified anti-rabies vaccination programmes across the state.
“The public can avail themselves of free anti-rabies vaccination for dogs at any government veterinary office during office hours or during mass vaccination events, which will be announced on the official Sarawak DVS Facebook page,” said Rundi.
He said private veterinary clinics also offer vaccination and healthcare services for pets.
According to Rundi, the state health department reported 83 cumulative human cases and 76 deaths since July 2017, including eight deaths in 2024.
He reminded dog owners to comply with licensing and identification requirements, as fines would be imposed for non-compliance, and encouraged pet neutering to prevent unwanted litters. - FMT

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