76 people died due to rabies, 2017–2025
Posted on 26 May 2025
Source of News: Utusan Borneo Sarawak
KUCHING: A total of 76 people have been reported dead due to the deadly rabies outbreak from 2017 to 2025.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, stated that the fatalities were from 84 human infection cases recorded within the same period by the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS).
"What we can conclude is that the victims died due to their failure to seek immediate treatment at nearby clinics or hospitals after being bitten by dogs or cats.
"Therefore, public awareness of the dangers and symptoms of rabies is crucial, and people—especially pet owners—must be alert to the effects of animal bites," he said.
He made the remarks at a press conference about the 4th edition of the Rabies In Borneo (RIB) campaign, scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 1 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
He emphasized that the public, especially cat and dog owners, must prioritize their own, their families’, and the community’s safety to curb the spread and increase in rabies cases in Sarawak.
"Most positive cases involve individuals who failed to get immediate treatment after being bitten—whether by a cat or a dog, regardless of whether the animal is stray or not.
"We urge the people of Sarawak to seek medical treatment as soon as possible and follow up on treatment after being bitten by either species, as they are the animals closest to us," Dr Rundi stressed.
He further warned that once rabies bacteria infect the brain, it is too late and inevitably fatal.
Thus, everyone must heed directives from the City Council, JKNS, the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD), and the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, as they are experts and have the authority to enforce laws to eliminate dogs or cats suspected of carrying the deadly virus.
"We all love 'mayau' (cats) and dogs, but what is more important—human lives or these animals?" he asked, acknowledging that efforts to combat the outbreak may not be well received by animal lovers and pet owners but stressing that the priority is human lives.
"Between 2017 and 2025, a total of 4,912 samples were taken, and out of that number, 1,221 tested positive for rabies—125 cases attributed to cats and the remainder to dogs.
"Some of those who tested positive managed to recover because they received early treatment and vaccinations, thus saving their lives.
"Symptoms of rabies from dog and cat bites in humans are the same—victims experience hydrophobia (fear of water), anxiety, and aggression," he explained, adding that animals carrying rabies are easy to identify as they turn from tame to aggressive and foam at the mouth.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department Director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, and others.
