KUCHING: The highly anticipated Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference returns with its 4th edition set to be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from 30 September to 1 October 2025.
This two-day conference will bring together local and international delegates in a collective effort to eliminate rabies from the island.
Co-organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), and supported by the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD), the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG), and Business Events Sarawak, the conference underscores the urgent need for unified and immediate action as rabies continues to pose a life-threatening crisis in the state.
RIB 2025 is also supported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), Sarawak State Health Department, and the Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).
Speaking on the collaborative efforts needed to combat the spread of rabies, M-FICORD Minister, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom called upon the local community to work together with relevant agencies including DVSS, local councils, and the Sarawak State Health Department.
“But most important is the community. (This includes) animal lovers, dog owners, and so on.
“We share this policy to make sure that we can raise dogs, but we must make sure that the pet dogs are licensed and vaccinated.
“Once vaccinated, the dogs will be rabies-free so even if they bite somebody, it will not cause problems in terms of spreading rabies,” he said.
He said this during the RIB press conference held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Monday.
Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi further advised the public to be aware of animals other than dogs, such as cats which could potentially carry the rabies virus as well.
According to him, a sample of 21 cats have been taken this year with two samples being rabies positive with one case of rabies infection in humans so far.
“The most important thing is immediate medical treatment after being bitten. Do not wait until the symptoms appear as it would be too late already,” he stressed.
He also stated that since the start of the rabies outbreak in 2017, authorities have vaccinated 267,883 animals as part of an aggressive prevention strategy.
“Over the same period, 4,858 samples were collected and tested, of which 1,140 equivalent to 23 per cent returned positive results, an alarming indicator of the virus’ persistent threat across the region,” he said.
Also present were M-FICORD Deputy Minister, Datuk Martin Ben, DVSS Director, Datu Dr. Adrian Susin Ambud, and other dignitaries. -UKASnews
