KOTA BHARU: A total of 13,612 animals nationwide have been vaccinated throughout this year up to September, in an ongoing effort to prevent the spread of rabies.
Senior director of the Disease Control and Veterinary Biosecurity Division of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Aida Muhid, said this includes 5,965 in buffer zones such as those in Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis and northern Perak.
According to her, buffer zones play a crucial role because these states share borders with other countries which still report active rabies cases.
"Thankfully, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan remain free of rabies, but monitoring and vaccination efforts continue to be intensified to prevent transmission from high-risk areas," she said after launching the national-level World Rabies Day 2025 here on Saturday (Oct 18).
Dr Aida said Kelantan was chosen as the host for this year’s event due to its position as a frontline state, adding that public awareness in buffer zone areas is crucial to ensure the rabies virus does not cross Malaysia’s borders.
She explained that rabies now not only infects dogs but also cats and livestock such as goats, based on data from Sarawak showing that nearly 50 per cent of positive cases came from animals other than dogs.
"This highlights the need for all pet owners to take responsibility by ensuring their animals are vaccinated and not allowed to roam freely without supervision,” she said.
Dr Aida said that between January and October this year, 46 rabies cases in animals were recorded in Sarawak, bringing the cumulative total since the outbreak was first detected in the state in 2017 to 1,161 cases.
She also advised owners to keep their pet dogs within their home compounds and to use leashes and muzzles when taking them out to prevent bites or attacks on humans and other animals.
"If bitten, do not panic. Wash the wound under running water and soap for 15 minutes, then seek immediate treatment at a health clinic. Rabies is entirely preventable through vaccination and prompt action after being bitten by a high-risk animal," she said.- Bernama
