KUCHING, Nov 1: Rabies is vaccine-preventable, but the approach differs for humans. This poses a complex challenge for Sarawak’s efforts to combat rabies, with human vaccination being a subject of concern in the overall strategy.
Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak Director Datu Dr.Adrian Susin said effective vaccines exist to protect individuals following rabies exposure.
However, it appears that human vaccination is not a feasible solution despite the state’s ardent efforts to achieve a 70 percent vaccination rate by 2025.
“It’s not practical to vaccinate humans because they only become exposed to rabies if they are bitten.
“As long as they are not in contact with rabies, there is no need for vaccination, as the formula doesn’t work the same way as the Covid-19 vaccine,’ he said this when contacted by TVS on Wednesday.
Citing a statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted that dogs are the primary cause of human rabies fatalities, accounting for over 90% of all rabies transmissions to humans.
“Rabies is a dog-mediated disease, which is why we are targeting dog vaccination. If we can successfully vaccinate dogs and achieve the targeted herd immunity of 70%, we can break the cycle of rabies infections,” added Susin.
Furthermore, he also advises pet owners to neuter their pets to prevent the proliferation of strays, which could exacerbate rabies exposure among dogs or cats.
“To control the stray animal population, it’s best to neuter your pets. Neutering prevents your pets from lingering around and being less aggressive, especially during mating season.
“It may sound harsh, but neutering is one of the long-term solutions for preventing rabies and avoiding inconvenience, not only for your neighbors but also for your family members. Remember, your pets are part of your family too,” he added.
On Tuesday, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, emphasized the state’s goal of achieving zero rabies by 2025.
Currently, Sarawak’s Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) has successfully vaccinated 89 percent of the dogs in their designated areas to control rabies in the state, with a target to vaccinate 40,000 dogs this year. -TVS
