Latest rabies victim succumbs to disease

KUCHING: A 49-year-old man from Sri Aman Division is the latest victim to have succumbed to the rabies virus; he died at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) yesterday.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee and Sarawak Health Department, in a press statement received yesterday said the man passed away at 3.57pm.

Sarawak has recorded 12 cases since June 30, last year. 11 of them have died due to Encephalitis Rabies, while one with neurology complications is being treated at home. The death rate is 91.7 per cent. Director-general of the Health Ministry Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the latest victim had a history of being bitten by a pet dog in January this year, but did not seek immediate treatment.

On August 11, the patient sought treatment at Serian Hospital due to fever and breathing difficulties.

While warded, he showed signs of hydrophobia and was also weak. He was then referred to SGH on Aug 14, and was warded at the Infectious Disease Ward in critical condition.

As of Aug 16, the Sarawak government has declared 33 areas in five divisions as rabies-infested areas.

The ministry also advised the public to take preventive measures to control the spread of rabies.

It is learnt that a 44-yearold man from Jalan Matang is suspected to be infected with rabies virus and is now warded at SGH.

He was admitted on Aug 16.