The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) through the Press Statement of the Director-General of Health recently informed that there are two new cases of rabies among people in Sarawak.
This brings the number of rabies cases among people in Sarawak to eight people by 2020.
The seventh case of rabies was a 3-year-old boy with a history of being bitten by a dog on the face on November 2, 2020. He was immediately admitted to Bau Hospital to receive rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and anti-rabies vaccines. The case was discharged in good health on November 6, 2020.
“However, on 13 November 2020 until 15 November 2020, this child has a high fever, weak limbs, poor appetite, restlessness, hydrophobia and shows aggressive behavior.
“He was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) on 16 November 2020 for further treatment and confirmed to be infected with rabies virus through laboratory tests conducted by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) on 25 November 2020. This child is being treated at HUS and is in stable condition. . MOH prays that these children recover as soon as possible, ”said the statement.
The eighth case of rabies is a 58-year-old man who was admitted to the ward at Lundu Hospital on 19 November 2020 with symptoms of pain and weakness for three (3) days. He also complained of a sore throat with difficulty eating and drinking.
“The case was transferred to Sarawak General Hospital on 21 November 2020 when his health condition worsened. He died on 25 November 2020 with a diagnosis of rabies meningoencephalitis. The diagnosis was confirmed with a positive laboratory test for rabies by IMR on 25 November 2020. The MOH extends its condolences to the family members of the deceased,” the statement said.
The increase in these cases also brings the total number of cases in the rabies epidemic in Sarawak declared on 31 July 2017 to 30 cases with 28 deaths. There are only two (2) surviving cases and both are children with a history of seeking early treatment.
Source: KP Kesihatan