KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded its first human rabies infection for the year 2025, involving a stray cat bite this month, said Sarawak's Minister of Agricultural Modernization and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

The first human rabies case in Sarawak for 2025 involves a 13-year-old teenager bitten by a stray cat; the victim is currently receiving treatment at Sarawak General Hospital. Authorities are actively controlling the stray animal population and advising the public to seek immediate medical attention if bitten, as rabies becomes difficult to cure once the virus reaches the brain.

The Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025 will be held from September 30 to October 1 in Kuching, with participation from Sabah, Kalimantan, Brunei, and other countries to discuss strategies for eradicating rabies in the region.

Dr Rundi stated that the case involved a 13-year-old teenager from Kampung Segedup, near Kuching, who started showing symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, confusion, difficulty walking, and trouble drinking water on May 21.

"The victim is currently receiving treatment at Sarawak General Hospital, and the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) confirmed that the child is showing rabies symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water).

"Usually, once symptoms reach this stage, recovery is very difficult... we have taken precautionary measures by capturing stray dogs in the area, and the stray cat involved has been confirmed dead," he said in a press conference on the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly Building today.

Dr Rundi noted that local authorities are intensifying efforts to control stray cats and dogs in the surrounding area as quickly as possible. He also advised the public to remain vigilant about the threat of rabies infection and to seek hospital treatment immediately if bitten by animals like dogs or cats—before the virus spreads to the brain and nervous system.

"This year, we collected 21 cat samples, and two tested positive for rabies... In most cases, individuals who seek immediate medical attention and receive the necessary vaccinations after being bitten can recover.

"However, if treatment is delayed and the virus reaches the brain, it cannot be cured, and it is extremely painful—that is what we want to prevent," he explained.

Dr Rundi reported that since 2017, there have been 63,301 dog bites, 57,210 cat bites or scratches, and 1,832 bites from other animals—recorded up to epidemiological week 20 of 2025 (May 11–17, 2025).

Additionally, he stated that the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025, now in its fourth edition, aims to find solutions to ensure Borneo nations are rabies-free.

"We want more stakeholders involved in understanding the dangers posed by animals like dogs that carry the rabies virus... so for this conference, we have invited Sabah, Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Brunei to share their approaches to tackling this issue.

"We are also inviting countries that have successfully eradicated rabies to share their experiences, ensuring more effective policies can be implemented," he added.

The conference will be held from September 30 to October 1 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).