By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Dec 22: A 53-year-old woman from Selangau has become the state’s latest rabies victim.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a press statement today revealed the woman was bitten by her pet dog in October 2020 but did not seek medical treatment.
The dog died a few days after biting her but the case was not reported to the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak.
The victim had a few pets which include cats and dogs but did not send them for anti-rabies vaccination.
Elaborating further, Dr Noor Hisham said the victim was admitted to Sibu Hospital on December 8 after she experienced shortness of breath and coughing. She also experienced sore throat, fever and fatigue for three days before being hospitalised.
Dr Noor Hisham revealed the victim succumbed to her sickness and passed away on December 15 after being diagnosed with rabies meningoencephalitis.
This latest confirmed case brings the number of rabies cases in Sarawak to nine this year.
Thus, the cumulative number of rabies cases in Sarawak has increased to 31 since the rabies outbreak was declared in July 2017, with 29 deaths.
Dr Noor Hisham disclosed that the two victims who survived are children who sought early medical treatment. — DayakDaily
