By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 21: A 10-year-old boy from Kuching has become the latest rabies fatality in Sarawak after he was bitten by a stray dog, marking the third human case recorded in the State this year.
The Sarawak Health Department said the child was bitten on Feb 11, 2026, but only washed the wound at home and did not seek further medical treatment.
“About a month later, on March 11, he began showing symptoms including loss of appetite, vomiting, neck stiffness and hydrophobia. He was taken to a clinic on March 13 before being referred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), where he was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the same day.
“Laboratory tests confirmed rabies infection on March 14. Despite medical intervention, the boy died on March 18,” the department said in a statement on Thursday (March 19).
With this latest case, the department stated that the total number of human rabies infections in Sarawak this year has risen to three, bringing the cumulative figure to 93 cases since the outbreak was declared in July 2017.
“Of these, 86 cases resulted in death, reflecting a fatality rate of 92.5 per cent,” it added.
From Jan 1 to March 14 this year, a total of 4,623 animal bite cases were reported statewide, averaging 462 cases weekly. Cat-related incidents accounted for the majority with 2,875 cases (62.2 per cent), followed by dog bites at 1,687 cases (36.5 per cent), while 61 cases (1.3 per cent) involved other animals.
Most incidents involved owned animals, totalling 3,169 cases (68.5 per cent), compared to 1,454 cases (31.5 per cent) linked to stray animals.
Health authorities identified delayed treatment after exposure as the key risk factor in the latest fatality, stressing that rabies can spread through bites, scratches or contact with saliva from infected mammals, particularly dogs and cats.
“If bitten or scratched by an animal, the wound must be washed immediately with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes, followed by immediate treatment at the nearest government or private healthcare facility,” the department reminded.
They are also advised the public not to feed stray animals with unknown vaccination status and to avoid handling animal carcasses, whether stray or owned, if the cause of death is unclear.
Such cases should be reported to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) or local authorities for further action.
Pet owners are reminded to ensure their dogs and cats receive annual anti-rabies vaccinations and are not allowed to roam unsupervised.
In conjunction with the festive season, the public is advised to remain vigilant when visiting homes or areas with animals, while children should be closely supervised and discouraged from approaching or playing with stray animals.
Health officials stressed that while rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it is preventable through immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following high-risk exposure.
“Cooperation from all parties is crucial in playing their respective roles to ensure effective rabies prevention and control measures for the safety and health of individuals and their loved ones,” it added. — DayakDaily
