Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre

07/04/2026

The Free Rabies Vaccination Campaign is ongoing across Kuching this April as part of Sarawak’s rabies control efforts—protecting both pets and the wider community.

Here’s the upcoming schedule:

🐾 Weekend Dog Vaccination (Injection)
🗓 11–12 April 2026 (Sat–Sun)
⏰ 9AM – 4PM
📍 Batu Kawah Riverbank Park
📍 SJK Chung Hua Syn-San-Tu

🗓 18–19 April 2026 (Sat–Sun)
⏰ 9AM – 4PM
📍 Balai Raya RPR Batu Kawa
📍 Balai Raya Desa Wira

🐾 Weekday Street Activity (Oral Vaccination)
🗓 13–15 April 2026 (Mon–Wed)
⏰ 7AM – 10AM | 4PM – 6PM
📍 Around Batu Kawa & Desa Wira

🗓 20–22 April 2026 (Mon–Wed)
⏰ 7AM – 10AM | 4PM – 6PM
📍 Around Batu Kawa & Desa Wira

Please take note:
✨ Do not touch vaccine baits (they look like yellow biscuits)
✨ If exposed, wash with soap and water immediately
✨ If bitten or licked within 48 hours, seek advice via the hotline

📞 Updated Rabies Hotline: +60 16-255 7267

Let’s work together to keep Kuching safe.

07/04/2026

The Free Rabies Vaccination Campaign is taking place across Kuching this April as part of Sarawak’s ongoing rabies control efforts. This initiative protects not only our pets, but also the wider community.

Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs to the designated weekend vaccination locations. During weekdays, trained teams will also be conducting oral vaccination activities in selected areas.

Please take note:
✨Do not touch any vaccine bait found on the ground
✨If exposed to the vaccine, wash the area with soap and water immediately
✨If bitten or licked by a dog within 48 hours of vaccination, seek advice via the helpline

Public awareness and cooperation play a critical role in keeping Kuching safe.

For full details on dates, locations, and timings, refer to the visual or scan the QR code provided.

07/04/2026

[𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 📢📢📢‼️]

💊 𝐎𝐑𝐕 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘 & 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄-𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐆𝐒 |
口服疫苗：流浪犬&散养犬

During this month’s integrated rabies control programme, Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) team, together with our partners including SSPCA (Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and local authorities, will be deploying oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in selected areas. This helps us to reach dogs that cannot be brought for vaccination and break the rabies transmission chain!

在本月开展的狂犬病综合防控行动中，SIDC团队联合合作伙伴，包括SSPCA及地方政府单位，将在指定区域投放口服狂犬病疫苗诱饵（ORV）。这有助于为无法被带往诊所接种的狗狗提供疫苗接种，阻断狂犬病传播链。

💉 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑‼️

Reminder to pet owners: Please bring your pets for free rabies vaccination!
馨提醒宠物主人：请带您的宠物前来免费接种狂犬病疫苗！

- 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟏 (𝐒𝐚𝐭) & 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟐 (𝐒𝐮𝐧): SJK Chung Hua Syn San Tu & Batu Kawa Riverbank Park |
中华公学新生村、石角河滨公园

- ⁠ 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟖 (𝐒𝐚𝐭) & 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟗 (𝐒𝐮𝐧): Balai Raya RPR Batu Kawa & Balai Raya Desa Wira |
石角RPR民众会堂、Desa Wira民众会堂

Together, we can end rabies in our communities! 💪🏼
让我们携手努力，共同在社区中消除狂犬病！

📍𝐒𝐉𝐊 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐒𝐲𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐮 (𝟏𝟏 - 𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/x5Ev6ghBTVPv7ts7A?g_st=ic

📍𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 (𝟏𝟏 - 𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Tepuc4ZmMehh7QS9?g_st=ic

📍𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐑𝐏𝐑 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐰𝐚 (𝟏𝟖 - 𝟏𝟗 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)
https://share.google/E34FZMfvuJI2NVsah

📍𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐚 (𝟏𝟖 - 𝟏𝟗 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7LBYckxKtje5t5tL6?g_st=is

20/03/2026

A significant milestone for the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) as we formalise our partnership with Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC).

Beyond the MoU, what stands out most is the strong alignment in our missions and the genuine exchange of knowledge during our recent visit. From BSL-3 laboratory innovative insights to discussions across virology, epidemiology, and vector-borne diseases, this collaboration is built on shared purpose and mutual learning.

Thank you to Prof. André SPIEGEL and the IPC team for the warm hospitality. We are excited about what lies ahead as we work together regionally towards a safer, better-prepared Southeast Asia.

Exciting times ahead!

06/03/2026

Recent news articles have highlighted findings related to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Sarawak. It is important to clarify that latent TB is not contagious. Individuals with LTBI do not show symptoms and will not spread the disease to others. However, identifying individuals with LTBI is important as it can develop into active TB if left untreated.

Efforts to strengthen tuberculosis detection and monitoring in Sarawak are carried out through close collaboration between the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and the Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sarawak (JKNS), particularly Makmal Tibi, which plays an important role in laboratory diagnostics, confirmation of TB cases, surveillance activities, and linkage to care (treatment) in Sarawak.

These efforts support SIDC’s Sarawak Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (STEP), which focuses on strengthening early detection, improving testing, and preventing the progression of latent TB into active disease. On the other arm, clinical management and treatment of LTBI/TB are overseen by JKNS through the public healthcare system, ensuring that individuals who require care receive appropriate follow-up and treatment.

At SIDC, we remain committed to working with different partners to support evidence-based TB control in Sarawak.

https://www.sarawaktribune.com/sarawak-infectious-disease-centre-detects-latent-tb-cases-statewide/?fbclid=IwdGRzaAQWl4ZjbGNrBBaXQ2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHrQemuqAUTcAnO_E7aGs9lOpTWfF1bvfzqDYhJWvrRVImFwLzVKU0eQth18z_aem_xuyF1oci0DmOrM2oF5bU_g&sfnsn=wa

07/02/2026

Wondering why our page is so quiet? Come and see what we’re up to on LinkedIn!

Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) | 2,443 pengikut di LinkedIn. Driving infectious disease research and the biomedical ecosystem in Sarawak. | The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) was conceptualised in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for improved pandemic prep...

24/08/2025

Thank you for facilitating discussions with colleagues from MPHLG and JKNS, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. It was fantastic to hear about the big picture and plans for Sarawak from your perspective!

13/08/2025

We’re Hiring!

We’re looking for an Office Assistant to join our team.

Find out more here: https://sidc.org.my/vacancies/

Know someone who might be interested? Please help us spread the word!

To enable and drive infectious disease research and catalyse the biomedical industry in Sarawak through cutting-edge technology and data-driven approach.

11/08/2025

[Program Pembangunan Komuniti MDSA – Ulu Undop, Sri Aman]

This morning at Rumah Bair, Kampung Sebangkoi, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) joined the Program Pembangunan Komuniti MDSA together with PDRM IPD Sri Aman and the Sri Aman Divisional Health Office.

SIDC presented the findings of the Disease Surveillance Programme (DSP) carried out from 27 February to 1 March 2025 in the area.

The DSP findings highlight the importance of:
1. Continuous monitoring for early detection of infectious diseases;
2. Engagement with the communities to raise health awareness;
3. Strengthening preventive measures to safeguard public health.

Thank you to Majlis Daerah Sri Aman (MDSA) for hosting, and to YB Datuk Francis Harden Hollis for his support in bringing agencies and the community together.

Collaboration like this is key to improving health in rural areas. Together, we can build healthier and more resilient communities.

27/07/2025

We were delighted to welcome Professor Liz Grant (Assistant Principal for Global Health and Director of the Global Health Academy) and Professor Eric Schirmer (Director for Internationalisation at the School of Biological Sciences), Audrey Kon (Regional Director, Southeast Asia and Cross-Regional Projects, Edinburgh Global) and Indre Petrauskaite (Head of International Operations at the School of Biological Sciences) from The University of Edinburgh for a visit to Sarawak.

The group was graciously hosted by our colleagues, Dr Ann Basik, Dr Asha Devi Kaushal and Dr Tu Chu Lee and their team at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, where they toured the facilities and learned about local research initiatives.

In the afternoon, we were also privileged to engage with Puan Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi, Head of the Division of Education at the of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, on Sarawak’s vision for education and capacity building in Sarawak.

The day concluded with a dinner discussion with academics from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) including Professor Dr Fitri Suraya Mohamad (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dr Mohd-Azlan Jayasilan (Director, Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation), Professor Dr David Perera (Director, Institute of Health and Community Medicine) and Dr Ernisa Marzuki (Head of the Research Enhancement Unit, RDICE).

We're especially grateful to our colleagues from the The University of Edinburgh for taking time out of their packed itinerary to explore some of the exciting projects in our wee corner of the world. Their visit coincided with the first hazy day of this year's dry season, due to the burning of rainforests across the region. It was a stark reminder of the importance of the health of our planet and the role of global partnerships that help to conserve it.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the visit a success. We look forward to continued conversations and working towards concrete collaborations in talent development, innovation and our shared commitment to bulding better societies.