Cats may be included in S’wak’s rabies vaccination programme, says minister

Pet owners urged to vaccinate animals and limit exposure to strays in ongoing rabies control campaign.

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Apr 18: The Sarawak government is exploring the expansion of its rabies vaccination programme to include cats as part of broader efforts to curb transmission of the disease in the State, says Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said although dogs remain the primary reservoir of the rabies virus, cats can also transmit the disease to humans if they become infected.

“Cats can carry the virus if they are infected by dogs. They may then bite or scratch humans, which can transmit the disease,” he told reporters after officiating the Mass Rabies Vaccination Programme in Batu Kawa today.

While dogs remain the main focus of current control efforts, the minister said the risk of secondary transmission through cats cannot be overlooked, given their close proximity to humans, particularly children.

He added that infected dogs can pass the virus to cats, which may subsequently increase the risk of human exposure.

On prevention measures, Dr Rundi urged pet owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated and kept within their compounds to reduce contact with stray animals.

“Vaccination is free, although the cost of the vaccine itself is high. The government has allocated significant funds because our priority is to prevent deaths from rabies,” he added.

The rabies control programme is being implemented with the support of agencies including the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and local councils.

At the same event, Dr Rundi also announced that a RM30,000 grant to support the rabies control initiative had been approved by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, while he himself pledged an additional RM20,000 for the programme. — DayakDaily