Ministry: Melaka free of rabies

BERA: The Health Ministry has confirmed that Melaka is free of the rabies disease.

A 6-year-old boy, who was tested for suspected rabies at the Melaka Hospital, has been found to be free of the virus.

Nevertheless, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said he had yet to be informed of the true cause of the child’s illness as many other viruses could show similar symptoms to that of the rabies virus.

He said this after visiting the Bera Hospital construction site here yesterday.

He said the outcome proved that the rabies infection had occurred only in Serian, Sarawak, which had so far claimed the lives of four children since its detection on June 30.

On July 14, Melaka Health Department director Datuk Dr Ghazali Othman had confirmed that a child was suspected of having contracted the disease at the Melaka Hospital.

The child, however, was now in a stable condition.

In Seremban, state health director Dr Zainudin Mohd Ali said no rabies cases were recorded in Negeri Sembilan.

He said, however, that the authorities would continue to carry out monitoring and preventive measures, including detecting dog bite cases in the area for the purpose of treatment.

He urged dog owners to have their pets screened at the veterinary services department, if found to be unhealthy.