27-05-2025
Rabies in Borneo 2025 Conference set for Sept 30 to Oct 1 in Kuching
A dog owner has their pets vaccinated against the rabies virus in this file photo.
KUCHING (May 26): The fourth edition of the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2025 conference will take place from Sept 30 to Oct 1 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Themed 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities', the two-day event is jointly organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), with support from the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development; the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; and Business Events Sarawak.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, told reporters that the conference aims to bring together local and international delegates in a collective effort to eliminate rabies from Borneo, stressing the urgent need for coordinated action.
'We are trying to get global forces to come in and fight rabies in Borneo, knowing that it is a difficult task,' he said at a press conference held at his office inside the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today.
Since the outbreak in 2017, 4,912 samples from animals were collected and tested, of which 1,021 (23 per cent) returned positive results – including 125 cases involving cats.
'To date, 84 human rabies cases have been recorded, including the most recent incident, with 76 deaths due to delayed medical treatment,' Dr Rundi revealed, adding that all rabies survivors had received early vaccination following exposure to animal bites or scratches.
With the recent case of infection involving a 13-year-old boy in Kuching, he stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to prevent the virus from spreading and causing death.
'Please seek immediate medical treatment after being exposed to animal bites or scratches.
'Death from rabies is preventable, but we need cooperation from the public to make this happen,' he emphasised.
The minister also urged animal lovers and pet owners to play their part in curbing this issue.
'We can raise dogs, but we must make sure that they are licensed and vaccinated so that they will cause problems in the future,' he added.
Also present were Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom lead rabies Rabies in Borneo Conference
