Sarawak has introduced a new approach to rabies control by distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait to free-roaming dogs as part of efforts to strengthen disease prevention across the state.
The initiative was highlighted during an ORV briefing and training session held near the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), where officials explained that the programme is designed to reach dogs that are difficult to capture or handle.
Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) deputy director Dr Nicholas Jenek said the trial marks a shift from the conventional method of injectable vaccination, which remains the primary approach for rabies prevention.
“Normally we use parenteral vaccination, which means injectable. But today we are trying the oral rabies vaccine, whereby we place the bait on the street and let the dogs take them,” he said.
He added that dogs which consume the vaccine bait are expected to develop sufficient antibodies within about a month, helping to build immunity within the stray population.
Dr Nicholas emphasised that the oral method is intended to complement existing vaccination efforts rather than replace them, particularly in reaching free-roaming animals that cannot be easily handled or restrained.
“This is mostly for dogs that we cannot catch, those that are constantly free-roaming or animals that even their owners cannot handle,” he explained.
He also noted that authorities are aiming for at least 70% vaccination coverage of the dog population to effectively control rabies transmission in the state.
According to him, about 5,000 ORV bait units have been procured for the programme and are currently stored at the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) under strict cold chain conditions to maintain vaccine quality.
“These baits must be kept in a cold chain environment just like any other vaccine. That is why they are stored at SIDC and transported in cool boxes,” he said.
Following the initial trial run, the vaccination exercise is expected to continue throughout the month as deployment activities are carried out in targeted areas.
The programme began early in the morning with participation from various agencies and organisations, including the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET), SIDC, DVSS, the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), MPP, and volunteers.
Briefings were delivered by experts including Dr Ad Vos from Ceva Santé Animale, followed by hands-on training sessions demonstrating the proper deployment of vaccine bait in the field.
Earlier, state leaders had also highlighted the oral vaccination initiative as part of broader rabies prevention efforts, noting that innovative methods are needed to reach stray populations in areas where traditional vaccination is challenging.
